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Box shipping’s voyage of uncertainty expected to continue in 2025

Analysts expect freight rates to remain buoyed by geopolitical tensions, trade wars and labour disputes

Tay Peck Gek

Tay Peck Gek

Published Mon, Dec 30, 2024 · 05:00 AM
    • During Donald Trump’s first term as US president, he ramped up tariffs on Chinese imports during the trade war in 2018, resulting in a spike in ocean container-shipping freight rates by more than 70%.
    • During Donald Trump’s first term as US president, he ramped up tariffs on Chinese imports during the trade war in 2018, resulting in a spike in ocean container-shipping freight rates by more than 70%. PHOTO: AFP

    CONTAINER shipping could be in for another year of market uncertainty in 2025, with some analysts expecting freight rates to remain buoyed by multiple factors ranging from geopolitical tensions and trade wars to labour disputes.

    German logistics heavyweight DHL expects the freight market to remain volatile into 2025, and freight rates unlikely to drop down to pre-pandemic levels in the immediate future. This is because of the raft of factors at play, including possible new tariffs and labour disputes.

    United States president-elect Donald Trump, who takes office in January 2025, is expected to wield a major influence on trade and the shipping sector as he has vowed to raise tariffs, such as on Chinese imports.

    ShippingOutlook 2025

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