DP World Expands in North America with New Freight Forwarding Office in Mexico City

The Mexico City office will serve as a central freight hub, supporting cross-border trade and key industries across the Americas

DP World has strengthened its North and Central American footprint with the opening of a new freight forwarding office in Mexico City, aimed at enhancing cross-border trade and supporting high-growth sectors such as automotive, retail, technology, and consumer goods.

"Mexico is one of the most important growth markets for DP World in North America," said Terry Donohoe, Senior Vice President of Freight Forwarding – Americas at DP World. "Our new Mexico City office strengthens our regional network and positions us to support cross-border supply chains more efficiently and scale. With strong demand from strategic industries and a pivotal geographic location, Mexico plays a crucial role in building more resilient and connected trade flows across the continent."

The Mexico City office will serve as DP World’s main freight hub in the country, supported by satellite offices in Guadalajara and Monterrey. The company’s growing network also reaches key industrial zones including Querétaro, Juárez, San Luis Potosí, and Puebla.

DP World currently employs nearly 800 people in Mexico across its freight forwarding and logistics operations. The company is actively expanding its regional capabilities, having recently joined the American Chamber of Commerce in Monterrey and working toward enhancing its air freight offerings with new certifications.

C.H. Robinson Unveils New AI Tool Ahead of LTL Freight Classification Changes

The AI-powered solution helps shippers navigate upcoming NMFC rule changes and avoid costly misclassifications

In anticipation of upcoming changes to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) system on July 19, C.H. Robinson has launched a new AI-powered tool designed to help shippers correctly classify less-than-truckload (LTL) freight and reduce costly errors.

The NMFC codes play a critical role in determining LTL pricing based on size and weight. Misclassification can result in delays, reclassification fees, and operational slowdowns. To address this challenge, C.H. Robinson’s new AI agent can automatically identify the correct freight class and code, even if the shipper’s email lacks key details.

"Many LTL shippers are unaware or uncertain of the classification for their freight," said Greg West, Vice President for LTL at C.H. Robinson. "So when they email us a tender, the freight class and code might be missing or incorrect."

The new tool works alongside C.H. Robinson’s broader AI infrastructure. "We have a fleet of over 30 AI agents performing tasks that had defied automation for decades," said Arun Rajan, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer. "Now we’re building AI agents that help our AI agents."

This smart solution translates emails into accurate digital orders and applies the appropriate freight classification, enabling a faster and more accurate quoting and booking process. As the July 19 NMFC updates approach, C.H. Robinson’s new tool is expected to significantly streamline compliance for LTL shippers while reinforcing the company’s leadership in logistics tech innovation.

This opening is part of a global expansion initiative, with DP World launching over 180 freight forwarding offices since 2023, 35 of them in the Americas alone. Other recent openings include new facilities in Curitiba, Brazil, and Toronto, Canada.

Labour Shortages and Strikes Intensify Port Congestion Across Northern Europe

Delays at key hubs like Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg are disrupting supply chains and driving up logistics costs as global congestion spreads

Ports across Northern Europe are facing mounting congestion, with severe labour shortages, strikes, and inland transport issues creating significant backlogs. Key hubs such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven have been especially hard-hit, leading to rising berth waiting times and surging logistics costs.

According to maritime research firm Drewry, Bremerhaven experienced the worst delays during the recent holiday period due to staffing shortages, while low Rhine water levels further limited barge capacity from Antwerp and Rotterdam. A nationwide strike in Belgium on May 20 added further pressure, disrupting vessel movement through the Kallo and Boudewijn Locks, though full operations resumed by evening.

Waiting times illustrate the scale of disruption: Antwerp’s average berth wait rose by 37%, while Hamburg and Bremerhaven saw spikes of 49% and 77%, respectively, between Week 13 and Week 20 of 2025.

The issue extends beyond Europe. Ports in Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York are also experiencing growing congestion, with dozens of containerships queuing to berth. This congestion is causing a ripple effect through global supply chains, stretching transit times, increasing costs, and forcing shippers to hold additional stock.

In response, carriers are introducing congestion surcharges and rerouting strategies. For example, MSC will impose a congestion surcharge on Northern Europe–Far East lanes from June 1. These challenges are amplified by an early peak season sparked by the temporary suspension of U.S.–China tariffs, pushing container spot rates up by over 27% since early May.

Drewry emphasizes the need for real-time insights and resilient logistics strategies to navigate ongoing market volatility.