SBA's Freight Market Update: April 9, 2026
This week: Shipping remains cautious despite the truce; A customs workaround is gaining attention; Rail rebounds in March with strongest performance in years.
Current Critical Industry Trends
Shipping remains cautious despite the truce. The ceasefire requires all transits to coordinate with Iranian forces and with only a 14-day window before terms could collapse, owners are prioritizing getting trapped tonnage out...keeping transit risk, delays and rate support still firmly in play.
A customs workaround is gaining attention. Retailers are using the valuation strategies of First Sale to lower tariff costs on qualifying imports. While this may help control landed costs, Special Interest Groups and legislation are pushing to close this loophole.
Ocean
Montreal is now connected to CMA CGM’s CAGEMA service. The new link expands access between Canada and key Caribbean markets, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, creating more flexible routing options for regional trade.
Ports
The Port of Toronto is seeing higher volumes driven by increased salt and steel imports. The increase reinforces the port’s role in supplying critical materials to construction and manufacturing across the Greater Toronto Area.
International
Duty refund claims with U.S. Customs and Border Protection have surpassed $120 billion. With 25% of eligible importers not yet registered and a 45-day wait for repayment, access to funds may be delayed for many businesses.
Biopharma manufacturers are shifting production to Europe to mitigate risk. The move reflects efforts to diversify supply chains and reduce exposure to ongoing political uncertainty in the U.S.
Trucking
A new FMCSA survey on truck parking is now open for public comment. The effort aims to measure availability, costs, and technology use, with results expected to inform solutions that enhance safety and support freight movement across the U.S.
Rail
March marked the strongest performance for U.S. freight rail in years. Average weekly carloads exceeded 230,000, the highest monthly level since 2022, signaling renewed momentum across the freight economy.
Air
European air freight is regaining stability after several rocky years. Demand is forecast to grow 2.6% this year, as improved airport performance supports shippers seeking more reliable options amid ongoing supply chain risks.
Technology
The commercial shipping industry is making progress toward autonomous navigation. As the technology gains approval and adoption increases, it is expected to strengthen safety, support seafarers, and improve overall efficiency across global shipping.
Other
A new Canadian customs online training program is set to launch in May. Developed by experienced brokers, it focuses on real-world scenarios to better prepare professionals and improve compliance across the industry.
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As always, SBA’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 SBA can do for you. Contact us!