Global shipping leader Maersk has reported a sharp rebound in Transpacific bookings following the recently announced 90-day tariff reprieve between the U.S. and China. After a significant slowdown in April, when shipment volumes dropped by up to 40%, customers are now leveraging the temporary tariff pause to expedite shipments, potentially advancing the peak season.
Other trade lanes remain stable, with Intra-Asia trade continuing its upward trajectory, fueled by growing consumption and an expanding middle class across Southeast Asia. Singapore remains a key transshipment hub, seeing heightened demand for bonded warehousing and sea-air logistics solutions.
Strategic Adjustments to Meet Demand. In response to the surge, Maersk is reinstating capacity on the Transpacific route, deploying larger vessels, and introducing additional sailings. The company’s modular East-West network has proven instrumental in maintaining service reliability and allowing agile vessel redeployments. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Maersk is expanding its logistics footprint with the forthcoming World Gateway 2 facility, set to double warehousing capacity and support more flexible transshipment solutions.
“The volatility of trade right now is creating uncertainty for our customers. With our integrated solutions, Maersk is well-positioned to provide the flexibility they need to navigate these challenges,” said Bhavan Vempati, Head of Asia Market, Ocean Products at Maersk.
Customer Advisory & Market Outlook Shippers transporting goods from China to the U.S. are advised to book early to secure space amid accelerated demand. For businesses in Southeast Asia, Maersk offers comprehensive logistics solutions, including bonded warehousing and sea-air routing, to optimize inventory management and maintain supply chain flexibility.
Market conditions are expected to remain strong through the second quarter, though the second half of the year remains uncertain. Maersk will continue to monitor trade policies and adjust its network to ensure service stability.
