German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd reported a sharp reduction in cargo transportation from China to the United States – about 30% of customers cancelled their deliveries amid the ongoing tariff war between Washington and Beijing. This step was a significant blow to trade volumes on the key trans-Pacific route.
Amid falling demand for Chinese goods, Hapag-Lloyd is recording an increase in importers’ interest in deliveries from Southeast Asian countries. In particular, the volume of orders from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is increasing – the company notes an active redistribution of logistics chains.
Due to the decrease in cargo flow from China, Hapag-Lloyd was forced to partially reorient the fleet: smaller vessels began to be used on the route to the United States, but the number of voyages remained unchanged.
The company is thus adapting to new global market conditions by focusing on alternative sources of cargo in the Southeast Asian region and maintaining a stable frequency of shipments despite changes in demand patterns.