Radiant's Freight Market Update: July 30, 2026
This week's freight market reflects continued trade uncertainty alongside accelerating investment in infrastructure, technology and policy shaping tomorrow's supply chains.
Current Critical Industry Trends
New duties on nearly all U.S. imports have prompted multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of forced labor tariffs. The additional duties stack on top of existing tariffs, adding costs and complexity across supply chains.
Ocean
The Maritime Action Plan passes the House of Representatives and now moves to the U.S. Senate where a significant overhaul of federal maritime law is expected. If enacted, the legislation could influence domestic shipping, shipbuilding, and long-term supply chain resilience.
Yemen’s Houthis have maintained pressure on Saudi shipping despite a partial recovery in traffic through Bab el-Mandeb. Diplomatic negotiations are expanding beyond Hormuz to include maritime security across the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, underscoring continued operational risk for regional shipping.
Ports
Port Canaveral launched a twice-monthly container service connecting Central Florida with Mexico and the U.S. Northeast, with each call expected to bring between 80 and 120 import containers from Mexico.
China released a five-year blueprint to modernize its port network, focusing on safety, efficiency, and better oversight. The initiative reinforces the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen its position in global trade.
International
New U.S. tariff incentives would reduce aluminum duties for companies investing in domestic primary aluminum production. The initiative is designed to encourage long-term manufacturing investment within the United States.
Trucking
The British Columbia Trucking Association is collecting industry input on upcoming commercial vehicle dash cam requirements. The legislation could reshape fleet compliance practices while supporting efforts to improve road safety.
The SAFE Act targets fraudulent “chameleon carriers” by strengthening detection efforts during the registration process, supporting the move to enhance carrier oversight and improve road safety.
Rail
Canadian National Railway will not oppose Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern under a new network access agreement, potentially reshaping North American rail competition and freight routing.
China-Europe rail freight continues to grow, with annual volumes increasing more than 30% as shippers continue to diversify transportation options alongside evolving global trade patterns.
Air
Global air cargo demand outpaced trade growth in June, driven by technology shipments, high-value goods, and strong North American demand. Ongoing Middle East uncertainty and U.S. tariff policy, however, continue to cloud the market outlook.
Air freight volumes across Europe continued to decline in July following changes to low-value shipment regulations, prompting carriers to reassess capacity.
Technology
Companies continue investing in AI and cloud-based warehouse management systems, to improve inventory visibility, warehouse performance and operational agility despite ongoing economic uncertainty.
Visibility matters. Radiant's Navegate® connects shipment data, inventory and operations in one place, helping businesses make faster, better-informed supply chain decisions.
Other
The U.K. plans to strengthen connections between schools and vocational training programs to encourage more students to pursue careers in logistics and supply chain management. The initiative aims to build a stronger long-term workforce for the industry.
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As always, Radiant’s team is here to help. Our expert teams are ready to answer any questions you may have or give advice for managing the current logistics environment. Additionally, if you need help moving freight or gaining visibility and control over your supply chain, we’d happily discuss what Radiant can do for you. Contact us!