Container shipping: Navigating turbulence in 2024

The current global container shipping landscape, viewed through the lens of freight buyers, rivals the complexity seen during the Covid era. Threats of new US tariffs, shipping and geopolitical risks spanning the Middle East and beyond, and substantial shifts in the liner shipping alliance system are casting significant shadows. In the US market, challenges such as the temporary closure of the port of Baltimore, potential dockworker union actions at Gulf and east coast ports, and low water levels on the Panama Canal add further layers of complexity. Amidst these dynamics, freight buyers find themselves negotiating transpacific contracts with carriers. This episode, sponsored by Dimerco Express Group, delves into strategies for effectively categorizing and navigating these turbulent waters, while also pondering the potential container shipping-demand balance under less disruptive circumstances. Guest Hua Joo Tan, Founder, LINERLYTICA