The past year has been a strong one for North American import trade demand, with Maersk expecting double-digit growth in the fourth quarter of 2024. The surge in e-commerce shipments from Chinese online sellers has also led to an increase in air freight prices. Maersk will be returning its China air cargo service to its South Carolina hub at the start of 2025.
However, Maersk’s President for North America, Charles van der Steene, has also warned that supply chain disruptions will continue in 2025, including potential strikes and tariff threats. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) is planning to negotiate a new contract, and potential strike threats could lead to record-breaking container import numbers in November and December.
Maersk has seen a shift in trade to the West Coast, with volumes remaining strong. Van der Steene believes that volumes are being pulled forward or are incredibly strong due to the anticipation of potential disruptions.
Trump has taken sides in the port strike, supporting the union’s stance on automation. Maersk’s auto gate system in Mobile, Alabama, was the reason for an initial breakdown in talks over the summer. The union has vowed to resist automation.
Maersk is launching a new ocean alliance with Hapag-Lloyd in February, which is expected to bring vessel reliability to 90%. The company is also expecting a strong market in 2025, with U.S. GDP set to grow just under 2%, bolstering demand for supply chain services. However, disruptions are expected to continue, and Maersk is urging companies to prioritize supply chain resilience.