Hermeslines
E-com logistics weekly

The E-com Logistics Weekly > Issue No. 002 • Feb 5 – Feb 12, 2026

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Shopify crushes earnings, signaling resilient e-com demand

Despite fears of a consumer slowdown, Shopify posted a massive beat in its Q4 earnings report released yesterday (Feb 11).

The company reported Q4 revenue of $3.67 billion (up 31% YoY) and a profit of $743 million, significantly beating Wall Street estimates. They also announced a $2 billion share buyback program. CFO Jeff Hoffmeister noted that consumer spending has “held strong” across all merchant sizes, defying the broader narrative of a retail recession.

This is a critical signal for the market. While legacy retailers are forecasting doom and gloom due to rising tariffs, the Shopify ecosystem – which represents the modern D2C economy – is accelerating.

Bottom line: If you were planning to cut marketing spend in Q1 out of fear, check your own data first. The macro data suggests the e-commerce consumer is still spending heavily.

Amazon launches new “Drone Hubs” in Chicago

The “science fiction” future of logistics took a tangible step forward (Feb 10).

Amazon officially announced the opening of two new Prime Air drone delivery centers in the Chicago suburbs (Markham and Matteson). These facilities will use MK30 drones to deliver packages under 5 lbs in less than 60 minutes. This brings their total nationwide drone network to ten operational sites.

While drones often feel like a PR stunt, the Chicago expansion is strategic. By placing these hubs in dense suburban areas, Amazon is testing whether aerial delivery can actually replace expensive van courier routes for “urgent” items like pharmacy meds and batteries.

Bottom line: Amazon is betting that “speed” is the only moat that matters. If you sell small, high-urgency items, your 2-day shipping promise is looking increasingly slow.

Maersk officially routes vessels back through the Suez

The shipping world’s biggest gamble of 2026 has officially begun.

As confirmed in a customer advisory on Monday (Feb 9), the new “Gemini Cooperation” (Maersk + Hapag-Lloyd) has started routing specific services, such as the ME11 line, back through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. The vessel Albert Maersk departed India on Feb 4 and is currently en route to the canal, escorted by naval support.

This breaks the industry-wide boycott of the route that has been in place for over a year. While most competitors are still sailing around Africa (adding 10-14 days), Maersk is attempting to use the Suez to slash transit times and gain a competitive edge.

Bottom line: This is a high-risk test. If these vessels pass safely, spot rates could drop as capacity returns to the market. If they are attacked, insurance premiums will spike overnight. Stick to your current lead times for now.

TikTok Shop closes “New Seller” shipping loop

The door has officially closed for new merchants trying to self-fulfill on TikTok.

As of Monday (Feb 9), TikTok Shop has disabled the option for new sellers to onboard with “Seller Shipping” access. Any brand joining the platform from this week onwards must use “Fulfilled by TikTok” (FBT) or the platform’s native shipping tools. Existing sellers still have until February 25 to migrate.

This is the first hard milestone in TikTok’s aggressive push to centralize logistics. By cutting off new entrants from self-fulfillment, they are effectively forcing the entire future ecosystem into their managed network.

Bottom line: If you are an existing seller still hoping for an extension on the Feb 25 deadline, stop waiting. The enforcement has already started.

Air cargo rates to US spike 24%

The rush to beat new tariffs is causing chaos in the skies.

The latest Baltic Air Freight Index (BAI) data released this week shows that air cargo rates from Frankfurt to the USA surged 24.09% in a single week. This follows a similar spike from Southeast Asian hubs like Vietnam, where rates jumped 50% month-over-month.

Shippers are panic-buying air freight capacity to get high-value inventory into the U.S. before new tariff enforcement mechanisms click into place later this month. This “artificial” demand is crowding out regular shippers and driving prices to peak-season levels in February.

Bottom line: If you need to fly inventory in February, be prepared to pay a premium. Consider deferring non-urgent air shipments until March when this tariff panic subsides.

Amazon Pharmacy expands Same-Day to 4,500 cities

Amazon is using its logistics network to fix a healthcare problem (and capture a new market).

The company announced on Tuesday that it will expand Same-Day Delivery for prescription medications to 4,500 cities and towns by the end of 2026. This includes new markets in Idaho and Massachusetts.

This isn’t just about pills; it’s about network density. By delivering prescriptions (which are recurring and urgent), Amazon increases the “stop density” of its delivery vans, making it cheaper for them to deliver your packages to the same neighborhoods.

Bottom line: Amazon is embedding itself into the daily lives of consumers in a way that goes beyond retail. This “stickiness” makes Prime harder to cancel.

Ocean spot rates drop as “Pre-LNY” rush fails

The expected pre-Lunar New Year booming demand has fizzled out.

The Drewry World Container Index dropped 7% this week to $1,959, marking the fourth consecutive week of declines. Transpacific spot rates to Los Angeles fell 8%.

Carriers had hoped for a massive rush of orders before factories closed for the holiday, but U.S. inventory levels are still healthy, and importers refused to pay premium rates. In response, carriers have announced 28 “blank sailings” (cancellations) for the next three weeks to try and artificially stop the price bleeding.

Bottom line: It is currently a buyer’s market for ocean freight. If you are negotiating annual contracts, use this weakness to push for lower fixed rates.

Note: This information is intended to inform Hermeslines clients and partners about industry developments, including decisions of courts and administrative bodies. Nothing in this update should be construed as legal advice, a legal opinion, or customs consulting. Readers should not act upon the information contained in this alert without seeking the advice of a licensed customs broker or legal counsel. Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Hermeslines or its clients. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Hermeslines does not claim ownership of the original reporting; please refer to the linked sources for full articles and original attribution. This content is intended for commentary, news reporting, and educational purposes under the Fair Use provisions of Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or customs advice.

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