For the latest macroeconomic updates and what they mean for supply chains around the world, please head to the Maersk Global Market Update for spring 2025.
Ocean and Key Ports Update
In late March, Sea-Intelligence published its monthly schedule reliability figures, including data showing how sailings under Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's new Gemini Cooperation performed in the first month. According to Sea-Intelligence’s data, Gemini vessels delivered a schedule reliability of 94% in February – above the 90% ambition. Read more here about the East-West network, which will be fully phased in by June 2025.
On our ocean network, we have continued to see businesses advancing cargo to destinations since the introduction of the Cape of Good Hope route, in a bid to counteract the impact of longer routings.
Moving into the second quarter of 2025, this trend remains prominent, particularly into southern European economies where ports serve as critical gateways for Asian cargo into the Mediterranean and beyond.
The knock-on effects of front-loading can have an impact on infrastructure and inland networks, so it’s important to focus on capacity management and optimisation with your logistics partners through inland and warehousing solutions. We encourage customers to reach out to local Maersk representatives to discuss options for Europe-bound cargo.
In the north of Europe, terminals in Rotterdam and Bremerhaven show stable performance with healthy levels of yard density. At Hutchinson Ports Delta 2, the terminal is seeing an increase in longstanding units and customers are kindly asked to clear the longstanding units as soon as possible. The terminal in Antwerp continues to see a congested lineup due to phase in and phase out of vessel plans, combined with vessels’ late arrivals from previous ports.
In the south of Europe, Algeciras terminal is expecting a peak in container moves in week 15, however the terminal is showing a stable performance and currently facing no restrictions. In Tangier, the vessel lineup is recovering after experiencing bad weather at the end of March. Across terminals in Valencia and Barcelona, we are seeing an increase in yard density – to help alleviate the situation, customers are kindly asked to clear their import units as soon as possible after discharge.
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Air Freight Update
Recent figures from WorldACD Market Data show that air freight demand out of Asia-Pacific has continued to rebuild since Lunar New Year, particularly on routes to the US broadly thanks to widespread uncertainty.
Ongoing tariff announcements and looming unknowns have made planning air freight shipments more challenging for businesses, and some have advanced their cargo into the US to try to build resilience.
We encourage customers to reach out to us to discuss their air freight strategies and options for the coming quarter. Maersk teams can assist in preparing for different eventualities while we wait for further clarity on tariffs and their impact.
In Europe, air freight finished last year on a strong note, with demand growing by 7% year-on-year in December 2024. Global capacity has also increased by 4% according to Accenture data, with Asia Pacific – Middle East – Europe trade lanes showing the most persistent growth, driven mainly by E-commerce.
Please click here to find helpful information about Maersk Air Cargo and our services to and from Europe.
Inland Update
At the end of last year, we have communicated London Gateway as the UK port of call for services under the Gemini cooperation. As part of the transition of ocean services from Felixstowe to London Gateway, there are also changes to the inland services – namely empty container return process.
As of March 31, full containers picked up on merchant haulage basis from Felixstowe will need to be returned to London Gateway. Your haulier can continue to book the empty returns for cargo collected from Felixstowe using MATS online, and the off-hire process remains unchanged. Find out more at the dedicated advisory page.
Elsewhere, rising costs in fuel taxes implemented by the Danish government, combined with rising trucking equipment costs, are resulting in an increase in the cost of Cooling Service Destination (DGS) and Cooling Service Origin (OGS) – also known as Genset, across Denmark. To find out more about the changes in Genset cost, please click here.
In France, our teams have revised Combined Detention & Storage import tariff and Detention and Demurrage export tariff for United Kingdom, effective from 15 April. To access new standard terms and tariffs, please click here.
For more information on ways to connect seamlessly with our rail, road, and barge solutions across Europe, please visit our Inland solutions and services across Europe.
Customs Update
Global tariffs continue to be the main topic surrounding customs as we move into the second quarter of the year. Amid widespread uncertainty, we encourage customers to contact our Global Trade and Customs Consultants to map out and anticipate likely scenarios for your business, before planning accordingly. Please also visit our dedicated tariffs advisory page to keep track of the latest developments.
Elsewhere, the third release of the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) has now been updated to include road and rail carriers from 1st April 2025. Traders moving goods into the EU by rail or road will have to make sure that their hauliers adapt to new requirements regarding the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS). The ENS has the following mandatory data: HS codes of goods, Consignee EORI number, information about the buyer and the seller. Click here for more information.
Plus, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has implemented new rules and compliance decisions from the end of March. The key takeaways include:
- Importers of CBAM goods to apply in the EU country in which they are established.
- Application timeline: authorities have 120 calendar days to process applications.
- Compliance: past customs or tax infringements, or market abuse could lead to rejection. Compliance can be demonstrated through expert conclusions, third-party assessments, and audits.
- No waiting period after revocation: reapply once compliance is restored.
Maersk Customs Services specialists are on hand to support with CBAM challenges, so don’t hesitate to reach out. We advise applying early to avoid any last-minute complications. Click here to find out more.
Ecommerce Update
Nordic countries continue to lead the way in ecommerce and digital transactions, continuously increasing both the transaction value and penetration rate year on year. With the growth of digital transactions, ecommerce market is expected to follow suit. By the end of the year, the value of ecommerce across the Nordic countries is expected to reach 41.95 billion USD, with Sweden accounting for almost 15 billion USD.
Currently, most of the ecommerce revenue in the Nordics comes from cross-border commerce – making it essential for businesses from western and southern Europe to have capabilities to ship their products directly into the Nordics.
At Maersk, our teams have been working on developing a solution with a transit time that enables our customers to do that through our warehouse in Taulov, Denmark. As of March, our customers benefit from direct transport connecting the Taulov warehouse with other Maersk warehouses, and the ability to handle returns – ultimately improving efficiency and adding more flexibility to customers.
Because our owned warehousing assets, customers also have more flexibility in their own warehouse operations and their supply chain with the ability to deliver cargo on pallets, parcels, or overpack.
As of March, our Taulov warehouse functions as a cross-dock facility, meaning parcels destined for Sweden, Denmark, and Finland can be consolidated and injected into carrier networks from the warehouse facility.
To find out more about how our teams can help provide the best ecommerce delivery solutions for your business, visit our E-Delivery page.
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