PORT DISRUPTION OUTLOOK
Storms Forecast for Rotterdam and Antwerp, October 23–25
A severe weather warning is in effect for the Port of Rotterdam from Friday evening through Sunday, and storms are also forecast for Antwerp. Terminals have already announced restrictions, and in the worst case, operations could stop entirely. Many terminals will stop operations Friday evening and remain closed until the storm passes. Trucking and barge services to and from both ports should expect delays, and yard storage or other fees may accrue.
Le Havre: Terminal Disruption Continues
The IT problem at Terminaux de Normandie in Le Havre began on the evening of October 13. Reports indicate that no containers have been able to enter or leave the affected terminals since October 14, and vessels have not been handled either. MSC’s October 15 advisory said the terminal would stay closed through at least October 16, and we have not seen a confirmed restart date. No official source has identified the cause, and the cyberattack speculation in the local press is unconfirmed.
Southern Italy Trucker Strike Easing
The trucker strike that began October 16 in Sicily and the Port of Naples spread to all of southern Italy on October 19. Our team in Italy reports that the strike is ending in almost all of the south and that conditions should return to normal over the next few days. The exception is the Campania region, where the strike continues. If you have pickups pending in and around Naples, expect possible delays, and we suggest checking on any urgent shipments.
Ireland: Second Strike Day Suspended
The second national public-sector strike, set for Wednesday, October 21, was suspended on October 16 after the government agreed to an independent process through the Workplace Relations Commission to prepare for pay talks. Work-to-rule action continues, so some delays at government offices, including Revenue, are still possible. The unions have warned that strikes could return this winter if no agreement is reached. Importers and exporters with Irish shipments should still allow extra time for customs clearance.
Rhine Low Water Continues
Water levels at Kaub remain far below 77 cm, the level at which barges can run at reasonable loads. Readings differ between trackers, but most show levels at or near record lows. Surcharges and limited barge capacity continue, so we are still relying on the heavily congested truck and rail routes. Please book any loads from the hinterland as far in advance as possible. Trucks are currently booked 3–5 weeks out, depending on the pickup location.
TRADE AND TARIFF UPDATES
Canada Trade War Continues
Prime Minister Carney said he spoke with President Trump on Wednesday about “issues around trade,” but there has been no substantive progress in the ongoing trade war. The Section 338 tariffs have been challenged in court: U.S. food business Gellert Global Group has filed suit in the Court of International Trade. The key argument is that the administration exceeded its legal authority to impose tariffs and harmed U.S. businesses. We will be watching the case closely and will report on the results. In the meantime, the Section 338 measures remain in place, as do the import bans on packaged U.S. alcohol. The exemption for bulk spirits and the 50% duty on bulk wine also remain in play.
IEEPA Class Certification Update for Finally Liquidated Entries
No appeal of the October 8 IEEPA class certification has been reported yet. The government has 45 days from the ruling to file one, which puts the deadline in late November. Until then, members who have not filed their own suit should keep tracking any finally liquidated entries with IEEPA payments.
FMC Spain Sanctions: Comment Period Is Open
The public comment period for the FMC proposal on penalties for Spanish-flag ships and possible action on Spain-origin products is open until December 14 (Docket 26-14). Importers of Spanish olive oil or other covered goods should contact us with questions or to discuss filing comments.
Customs Strengthens Enforcement Measures
WSSA’s Managing Director, Alison Leavitt, has spoken at and attended several conferences over the past two weeks and met with a number of CBP officials. The presidential executive order EO 14411 was the hot topic among all of the Customs officials. Shane Campbell, CBP’s Deputy Executive Director of Cargo and Conveyance Security, noted that CBP has implemented more than 60 executive orders since January 2025 with nearly flawless execution. He said CBP’s key mission is U.S. economic security, which means cracking down on all bad actors who engage in any type of duty evasion.
Campbell made it clear that under EO 14411, the administration’s message is that “importing is a privilege and not a right,” and importers must be rigorous about supplying accurate data. Since the order took effect, more than 5 million inactive, dormant, or problematic importer of record (IOR) records have been removed, and more than 100,000 have been updated. Please make sure the IOR data you submit to CBP on Form 5106 is correct and let us know if you have questions about this process.
More controls are coming. The public comment period is now open for the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on “Heightened Import Disclosures for Supply Chain Visibility.” The proposed rule would require foreign suppliers to provide more detail on how the items shipped to the U.S. are produced. For example, if you import cake, CBP would want to know where the producer bought each ingredient, where it came from, and how much it cost. We can provide full information on this ANPRM, and we strongly encourage you to submit a comment on how it would directly affect your business or your producer relationships. The comment period is open until December 1, 2026. Your voice is important, and it can make a difference.
WSSA is planning a webinar on the shift from trade facilitation to trade enforcement. More information will follow, but please let us know if you are interested in this topic.
LCL Services from France, Italy, and Spain/Portugal
Space is available on November sailings, so you can get your urgent holiday orders moving in time. Bi-monthly departures continue from each of these countries for your small shipments, with a per-case rate from the point of pickup to the Alba Wine and Spirits warehouse in Edison, New Jersey. All containers continue to run as operating reefers, so your cargo stays protected from fall heat. Shipments from other European countries can be added to the mix, with pickups offered in most European countries. Please let us know if you need more information!