From Yahoo Finance.: 2025-03-20 16:54:00

Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen anticipates U.S. port fees on Chinese ships will significantly impact consumers and American exporters. The CEO expects changes following industry feedback, similar to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. But uncertainties surrounding tariffs and geopolitical conflicts could affect 2025 profits, leading to an 8% stock drop.

Habben Jansen forecasts a 10% cargo volume increase for Hapag-Lloyd due to the Gemini Cooperation launch with Maersk. The company aims for stable growth with long-term contracts to mitigate spot rate fluctuations. However, geopolitical disputes could hinder volume development, impacting freight rates and profitability in 2025.

Drewry’s World Container Index reports average ocean spot freight rates at $2,264 per container, down 4% from the previous week and 42% since the start of the year. Hapag-Lloyd’s Gemini Cooperation alliance with Maersk is running 46 out of 57 services, maintaining a 90% schedule reliability goal despite recent slight performance declines.

Hapag-Lloyd plans to expand its terminal portfolio from 21 to over 30 by 2030, following a trend seen among operators like MSC. The company aims to enhance supply chain control amidst market uncertainties. Despite recent challenges, the CEO remains confident in achieving consistent schedule reliability and delivering value to customers in the future.

Read more: Hapag-Lloyd CEO Foresees ‘Considerable’ Changes to USTR Port Fee Proposal