Part 5/8:
These developments have cascading effects on supply chain stability. Significant disruptions in container throughput have been reported at major Chinese ports, and according to China's Ministry of Transport, there has been a 6.1% decline in container throughput week-on-week. As one freight company CEO lamented, orders are plummeting, and without relief from tariffs, the situation is expected to worsen.
Shipping strategies vary among carriers, with some opting to scale back sailings while others maintain routes to capture whatever market share remains. This inconsistency introduces further volatility into the freight rate landscape, exacerbating the uncertainty in the industry.