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Maersk has maintained all its trans-Pacific sailings despite trade war disruptions, using smaller vessels to match shifting demand.
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Hapag-Lloyd reports a 30% drop in China-to-U.S. shipments due to customer cancellations amid tariff uncertainty.
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Recent signals from both Washington and Beijing suggest a potential easing of trade tensions, offering cautious optimism.
Maersk Maintains Sailings Amid Tariff Challenges
Maersk has continued all its scheduled trans-Pacific services despite the trade war between the U.S. and China, choosing to scale down vessel sizes rather than cancel voyages. The Danish shipping firm acknowledged the uncertainty caused by U.S. tariffs but said it remains flexible in aligning capacity with demand. Customers are responding in varied ways—some proceeding with shipments as usual, others rerouting to alternative markets or delaying goods in the hope of a future resolution.
Hapag-Lloyd Sees Major Drop in U.S.-Bound Cargo
Meanwhile, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has experienced a stark impact, with about 30% of shipments from China to the U.S. being cancelled by customers. This reflects how businesses are increasingly wary of the economic fallout from escalating trade tariffs.
Adjustments and Cautious Optimism
Maersk stated that it continues to assess the market closely, adjusting operations like vessel sizes to stay aligned with customer needs. The broader industry is dealing with U.S. tariffs of 10% on goods from most nations and up to 145% on Chinese products. In retaliation, China has imposed up to 125% tariffs on American imports.
Signs of De-escalation
Despite ongoing friction, recent developments suggest both governments may be stepping back from the brink. The U.S. has indicated a willingness to reduce tariffs, while China has started to exempt certain U.S. goods from high import duties. These moves offer a glimmer of hope for improved trade relations shortly.
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Source: Reuters
