The DP World Caucedo transshipment hub in the Dominican Republic is moving forward with upgrades to accommodate the larger vessels that will be able to traverse the expanded Panama Canal next year and provide shippers with more warehouse capacity.

A decade after its signing, and five years after full implementation, the Central America Free Trade Agreement may not have transformed Central America into the powerhouse of textile and apparel trade forecast by some optimists, but it has facilitated significant growth in that sector of the region’s economy, along with diversification into other sectors.

Several carriers have planned general rate increases in multiple trade lanes in May and June, although any gains achieved could be temporary as overcapacity and sluggish global demand continue.

Multiple container lines hope to increase rates in a variety of trade lanes from March through June, although any hikes achieved could be fleeting...