China’s largest carrier has expanded its Asia network with subsidiary OOCL to capture volume displaced by the US-China trade war.

Nippon is expanding cross-border services as Asia-Europe demand increases and as five Mekong subregion countries adopt an agreement that could serve as a trade model for other regions.

RCL said improving economic conditions in Europe and the United States as well as throughout Asia, along with growth in exports from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore to China, in particular, render brighter future prospects for the shipping industry, despite overcapacity.

Road from Southeast Asia to China and rail on to Poland — another service option as the overland route between Asia and Europe grows in popularity.