In its summer report Global Market Update 2025, Maersk warns that the global container shipping market is facing increasing uncertainty due to fluctuating tariff policies and unstable demand. Since the introduction of a new round of US tariffs on April 2, trade barriers have increased and transparency has decreased. Companies now pay an average of 21% of the value of a container in duties, while peak values reached 54%. This is especially sensitive for trade between the US and China. Maersk emphasizes that about 20% of border delays are caused by poor customs preparation, and companies overpay 5-6% due to the lack of centralized duty management.
Maersk Chief Commercial Officer Carsten Kildahl emphasizes that in a high-tariff environment, strategic supply planning and logistics flexibility are critical. Many goods cross borders five to six times before the final stage, and optimizing these processes helps reduce costs and increase efficiency. To help businesses, Maersk has launched the Trade and Tariff Studio AI platform, which predicts risks and provides relevant recommendations in real time.
Despite geopolitical tensions, container shipping demand grew by 6.1% in the first quarter of 2025. Manufacturers have accelerated deliveries in anticipation of tariff decisions. At the same time, China is strengthening its position as a leading exporter: in 2024, its exports grew by 25% compared to 2019, and the share of imports from the Far East to Europe reached 51%. This is happening against the backdrop of declining supplies from the United States and within Europe itself, despite political statements about the need to reduce dependence on Chinese production.