In their March 2025 forecasts, shipping and logistics experts are warning those who rely on the industry to expect continued disruption, and in order to survive a chaotic landscape, they are advising businesses to spend money conservatively, work with trusted partners, and make comprehensive contingency plans.
“In the face of uncertainty, what else do you do? You just hold off on major investments you are going to make,” Sunderesh Heragu, a professor at Oklahoma State Univesity and the president-elect of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, told SeafoodSource. “If you have the capacity to adapt, by all means, go ahead and do it."
Industry leaders who spoke at a recent webinar hosted by Container xChange painted a picture of a sector under pressure from all sides.
“Uncertainty is toxic for trade, and businesses today are overwhelmed by shifting regulations, unpredictable tariffs, and constantly changing trade dynamics,” said Xeneta Chief Analyst Peter Sand.
Hysun Containers CEO Amanda Marr added that “the uncertainty around tariffs is creating ripple effects across the entire container logistics ecosystem.”
Participants in the workshop said that among the many challenges they faced, they were most worried about tariff and trade restrictions affecting their businesses. Many were also concerned that if the Red Sea Crisis were to end, an oversupply of containers would push prices down.
Currently, according to Container xChange, average prices for 40-foot-high cube cargo containers have increased in Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Southen Africa but declined in North America, the Middle East, Northeast Asia, and East Afria.
These price trends likely reflect the ways in which geopolitical tensions, especially those related to U.S. tariffs, are already reshaping trade routes.
“We’re already seeing enhanced efforts to reroute cargo through alternative markets like the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia,” Marr said.
Heragu agreed, telling SeafoodSource that China is particularly taking advantage of the situation thanks to its ability to ...
