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Ocean Update

Europe to North America: Demand from North Europe has picked up, but you still have space on our TA1 and TA2 services into the U.S., including extra capacity on Maersk Columbus 543W (TA1). We also have open space from the Mediterranean to the U.S. on TA10 and TA12, with additional capacity on GSL Eleni 545W (TA12). The Antwerp and Rotterdam gateways experienced labor-related disruptions, but we implemented contingency plans, and we’re minimizing delays. Please factor in some schedule variability when planning time-sensitive cargo.

If your routing relies on relay legs between Port Said and Port Tangier or between Algeciras and Port Tangier, capacity is tight; book as early as possible or consider alternate routings to protect your lead times. TA11 capacity is limited, so use TA10/TA12 where feasible. For Canada, space from both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean is constrained due to low water levels, and we expect that to continue through November; secure bookings well in advance and build an extra buffer into your inland delivery plans. If you’re flexible on service, load port, or discharge port, we can help optimize for the earliest departure and arrival.

Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, and Africa to North America: Imports from India remain affected by tariffs. Container volumes have improved slightly, and weekly MECL capacity continues. Separately, we are evaluating a Peak Season Surcharge, and we will communicate details via a formal customer advisory.

For Africa, volumes are ramping up with the cocoa season. We have space in key U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports and can support incremental demand. South Africa is now open for new opportunities inbound on SAECS following a strong citrus season. If you face tight windows on cocoa corridors, book earlier loadings, consider flexible discharge options on the East Coast or Gulf, and share your forecast so we can align capacity and mitigate dwell at transshipment points.

Asia-Pacific to North America: Post–Golden Week, demand has risen into both the U.S. East and West Coasts. SCFI has increased for two consecutive weeks across P1E and P3E.

Following the summit between President Trump and President Xi, we anticipate that the port fees for U.S.-related vessels, effective October 14, and USTR port fees will be suspended. We will communicate adjustments to our TP7 service in due course. To protect your lead times, balance bookings across West Coast and East Coast services, lock in allocations early, and keep routings flexible where possible.

Our East–West (Gemini) network continues to provide strong reliability, with Transpacific eastbound on-time performance at 96.2% into North America West Coast and 94.1% into East Coast per the latest Sea Intelligence report (October 2025).

Intra-Americas: On the East Coast of South America, on the UCLA service, starting in November, vessel schedules are running on time, and we do not anticipate any space constraints for direct calls to Brazil. On the U.S. East Coast side with our Tango service, vessels are on time, and booking acceptance has been running smoothly. Regarding Manaus, booking acceptance is fully open, and the Low Water Surcharge (LWS) has been discontinued.

For the Caribbean and Central America East Coast, network stability has improved after operational changes. NAE is operating on schedule with no issues to report. As the West Coast of South America (WCSA) reefer season builds, expect full utilization northbound from Manzanillo, Panama. The SAE service has delivered 100% schedule reliability for several weeks despite low productivity in Santo Tomás de Castilla. With melon season approaching, northbound vessels are likely to fill, so book early and share forecasts. GOEX is resuming full port coverage with no planned alternating omissions; we will still make tactical omissions if needed to protect schedule integrity. The AGAS service is back to normal after weather-driven omissions, with cargo flows adjusted and no rollings expected. For U.S.–Cartagena connectivity, use the Gemini shuttles: AM1 links Miami and Jacksonville with Cartagena; AM2 connects Cartagena with Tampa, New Orleans, and Progreso in both directions.

On the West Coast of Central and South America, WCCA1 continues to post the highest reliability in the market, supporting weekly coverage across Central America and Mexico. WCCA2 remains reliable into the U.S. West Coast, providing stable options for fresh, frozen, and dry cargo. If you have time-sensitive or temperature-controlled volumes, lock in allocations on WCCA1/WCCA2 and keep discharge options flexible to protect transit times.

To receive the latest updates on your cargo, sign up for ETA notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. For weekly operational updates in our “Weekly Reader,” subscribe to our advisories at Maersk.com/newsletter.

Less than Container Load (LCL) Update

LCL remains a practical lever as U.S. tariffs rise and air freight stays elevated. E-commerce demand and diversified sourcing across Asia and Latin America continue to push steady LCL adoption, with many importers using pay-per-use moves for smaller, frequent shipments. On select transpacific lanes, LCL can deliver large savings versus air, depending on lane, weight, and lead time. With Q4 peak, build a little extra lead time into plans, book earlier cut offs, and use expedited LCL where you need to protect availability without shifting to air.

Current carrier blankings can trigger cargo rollovers. As part of the Maersk network, Maersk LCL helps reduce rollover risk and maintain schedule integrity.

Customs Update

North American customs continue to shift with new rules, increased digitization, and ongoing tariff changes. Recent changes to de minimis treatment are affecting how low value, high volume entries are handled. Tariff changes are leading many importers to adjust their suppliers, while the applicability and hierarchy of Section 301/232, exclusions, and rules of origin remain complex and have increased operational workload. Our Maersk Customs experts advise planning for near-term regulatory variability and continued adoption of digital brokerage practices through at least mid-2026.

Accurate HS classification is the foundation for compliance and duty accuracy as tariff schedules and trade measures evolve. Keep product masters current, classify new SKUs before first shipment, and reassess codes when materials, specifications, or end use change. This reduces the risk of misclassification, penalties, and avoidable delays. Our customs consultants offer a complimentary HS Classification Health Check that reviews a sample of your codes, identifies mismatches, and provides corrective guidance.

Our regulatory advisory team helps you apply Free Trade Agreements (including USMCA), structure tariff engineering strategies where appropriate, and align with Partner Government Agency requirements such as CPSC e file. We use automation to speed clearance and reduce errors. Maersk Trade & Tariff Studio gives you SKU level visibility into duty exposure and regulatory requirements, runs what if scenarios across suppliers and origins, and flags risks early, such as potential forced labor, sanctions, or denied party issues, by pre screening purchase orders and master data.

To put these practices into action, join our webinar, Beyond Tariffs and Turbulence: How to Stay Compliant—and Competitive—in Airfreight. We’ll walk through a broker-led SOP, HS classification discipline, and integrated brokerage plus carriage workflows that reduce handoffs and accelerate decision-making, along with practical guidance on monitoring regulatory changes and preparing audit-ready records. Join us on Nov 13, 2025, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Register here.

For support or access to Trade & Tariff Studio, contact compliance.mcsi.nam@maersk.com in the U.S. and compliance.ca.mcsi.nam@maersk.com in Canada. We regularly update our Global Tariffs page with the latest developments and post advisories for real time impacts. Subscribe at maersk.com/newsletter for the latest updates.

Cargo Risk Management Update

Cargo risk has risen with more disruptive weather, shifting trade routes, and higher risk. UNCTAD reports ongoing schedule volatility and rerouting that add dwell and handoff points where damage and theft risks increase. Weather-related losses remain significant: the U.S. has recorded dozens of billion-dollar disasters in recent years, and those events routinely affect ports, intermodal yards, and trucking corridors. At sea, containers lost overboard rebounded from a record low in 2023 to 576 in 2024, still a small fraction of total boxes, but a reminder that low probability events can be high impact. On land, TT Club/BSI data show cargo theft remains concentrated in transit and at facilities, with organized fraud and pilferage targeting high-value consumer goods.

Insurance transfers financial risk you can’t fully engineer out of the network. In practice, all risk, warehouse to warehouse policies span ocean, inland, air, and intermodal legs and can respond to theft, natural catastrophes, accidents, General Average, and war/strikes/terrorism while in transit, depending on terms.

At Maersk, we can place all risk coverage and coordinate claims with a dedicated team; policies do not require proof of carrier negligence, have no deductible, and claims under $5,000 qualify for “FastTrack” handling. If you’re using an existing broker, we’ll align policy terms to your routing and storage profile and close gaps. With pricing easing in 2025, review limits, exclusions, and special clauses now, confirm continuous coverage at each handoff, and keep documentation tight so small claims resolve quickly. Get more details here.

Inland Update

In the U.S., the inland market remains fragile after a contraction in carrier capacity. More than 100 small carriers exited in Q2 2025, creating a tight supply-demand balance. Key risks to watch include driver availability as FMCSA’s non domiciled CDL policy and New Jersey’s proposed ABC test could reduce supply, rising insurance and compliance costs that pressure small carriers, and potential New Jersey labor rules that may reclassify independent contractors, tightening drayage and raising costs.

Leveraging our in-house trucking network and integrated partnerships across 10+ markets to ensure consistent access to trucking capacity. Consider carrier haulage capabilities for Maersk B/Ls in which we will fix your drayage rates to include line haul, fuel, chassis, and we aim to pick up cargo before the last free day, or we will absorb storage as an additional protection against unexpected cost in a fluid market. To protect your lead times, secure capacity early and diversify routing options.

Rail networks are fluid across U.S. markets, with consistent dwell improvements versus summer peaks. Build in a 24–48 hour buffer on inland transits to absorb interchange and terminal variability and use appointment windows that align with free time to avoid storage.

In Canada, inland volumes remain high, especially on the West Coast, with railcar shortages and heavier flows driving port congestion. Some containers are waiting 1–2 weeks for rail loading. In the East, Montreal continues to see terminal dwell, St. Lawrence low-water draft limits that disrupt schedules, intermittent labor impacts, and constrained railcar supply.

Across the Northeast U.S., Newark dwell is moderate, with mild congestion expected in November that can delay Canada-bound rail. Reefer trucking from the U.S. East Coast remains tight under seasonal demand, but export trucking from Canada into the U.S. East Coast is available to support outbound flows.

We’re sourcing alternative trucking, especially time-sensitive and reefer capacity out of the U.S. East Coast, and coordinating with terminals to reduce dwell. Plan extra lead time for rail and trucking, flag reefer, overweight, and urgent shipments early to secure inland capacity, and keep delivery plans flexible in Montreal as discharge volumes fluctuate. Looking ahead, St. Lawrence low water is likely to persist at least through mid-November with only marginal improvement into December, and reefer trucking constraints should continue through November as citrus volumes build.

Warehousing Update

In the U.S., warehousing is shifting as companies consolidate networks into larger DCs to simplify inventory and lift outbound efficiency

Sustainability remains a priority in warehousing, with companies focusing on concrete measures like energy efficient LED lighting, HVAC optimization, and building materials that lower lifecycle environmental impact. Many are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through operational efficiency, improved waste management, and, where feasible, using renewable electricity at facilities.

The ongoing growth of e-commerce continues to shape warehouse strategy, pushing for faster delivery and regionalized inventory placement. This is supported by a steady shift toward digital transformation, real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and supply chain optimization tools, though adoption remains uneven, with some teams still dependent on legacy tools.

Additionally, investment continues to rise in specialized facilities such as temperature-controlled and highly automated centers, especially for cold-chain logistics and pharma distribution. Overlaying all of this is continued tariff uncertainty, which continues to affect sourcing, distribution, and investment decisions across the network.

Operationally, at Maersk, we are focusing on strengthening IT capabilities and integration, particularly to meet complex retailer routing guide requirements and enhance end-to-end visibility. Engineering and operations teams are designing adaptable warehouse solutions that balance manual, semi-automated, and fully automated approaches based on customer needs and market conditions. Flexibility and speed in solution design remain critical to supporting customers amid tariff uncertainty and evolving trade dynamics.

Businesses are continuing to adjust to the impact of tariffs and trade policy volatility, for example, fulfilling orders within Canada rather than shipping cross-border from the U.S. to avoid cost exposure. Retail, apparel, and footwear brands are implementing price ticket changes to offset increased import and freight costs. Many large brands are taking a strategic pause to reassess their global supply chain models, balancing short-term disruptions with long-term resilience. To stay agile, many companies are consolidating their 3PL providers or outsourcing warehouse operations entirely to improve flexibility, reduce balance-sheet exposure, and focus on core business growth. Close collaboration and continuous feedback loops between us as a provider and our customers remain crucial to address value-added services and fast-evolving retail requirements.

Ground Freight Update

In the U.S., demand signals are mixed, but tightening risks are rising. Post summer, the Cass Shipments Index trended down while truckload volumes stabilized in September. Capacity contracted in Q3 as more fleets exited, and although Class 8 orders ticked up, that bounce may be temporary. Spot truckload rates are up year-to-date in 2025, while contract rates remain below 2024 levels.

Load-to-truck ratios climbed into October across dry van, reefer, and flatbed, a leading indicator of further rate firmness. We advise you to lock core lanes under your available pricing matrix and use spot rates only for true overflow. If you need stability on dray and linehaul, consider carrier haulage with all-in pricing to reduce surprise costs and protect against storage if free time is tight.

We’ve also opened a new ground freight station and linehaul hub in Coppell, TX, five miles from DFW. The 100,000 sq ft facility replaces our Irving station, is live now, and will be fully operational for peak. It expands Dallas–Fort Worth coverage, increases throughput, and connects into our national network with daily linehaul across the U.S. and Canada to support faster turns and added capacity during the holiday period.

Starting Nov. 1, an executive order imposed US tariffs of 25% on medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) and key parts, covering Class 3–8 trucks. Importers of MHDVs qualifying under the USMCA can seek to have the 25% tariff applied only to the non-US content of those vehicles.

For a deeper dive into demand, capacity, and rate trends that may influence your planning, see our latest U.S. Ground Freight Market Outlook.

In Canada, November peak is tightening the market. Volumes are up and several carriers are reporting constraints. Expect tighter booking windows and slower turn on popular corridors. To keep freight moving, finalize shipment plans early, allow flexible pickup and delivery options, and surface reefer or time sensitive loads first so we can secure the right capacity. We are actively managing carrier allocations and reviewing plans frequently to minimize disruption through mid December, when conditions should begin to ease as post holiday volumes roll off.

E-Commerce Update

North America’s parcel market continues to expand as e-commerce grows, and customer expectations rise. In 2025, the industry estimates put 2025 U.S. CEP revenue at $130–$140B, with parcel volume above 22B packages shipped in the U.S. Peak season from October through January brings higher costs and operational strain. Major carriers have added temporary surcharges—up to $8.75 per residential delivery and $94 for oversized items. Many shoppers pulled forward purchases due to tariff concerns and uncertainty, flattening demand curves and complicating planning. Last mile now accounts for up to 40% of total logistics spend, shifting priorities from pure speed to resilience, predictability, and cost control.

At Maersk, we’re adapting with an AI-driven, multi-carrier parcel model that selects the best option based on real-time rates, capacity, and performance. This improves delivery accuracy, protects service during congestion, and reduces fuel use. To counter peak surcharges and simplify operations, we offer 12 month locked rates, a single point of contact, and consolidated invoicing. Integration is straightforward so you can diversify carrier networks without disrupting your checkout or warehouse flows.

For many brands, the shift to Maersk’s parcel model has delivered measurable benefits. One example is a global apparel company that transitioned some of its parcels from traditional carriers to Maersk’s Domestic Parcel service and saw 33% cost savings in two weeks, $11K on 4,282 parcels, with a projected $451K annual savings, alongside faster transits and clearer visibility.

What to do now: evaluate your parcel strategy before volumes spike. Diversify carriers, enable AI-based routing, and keep pickup and delivery windows flexible to absorb surcharges and capacity swings. If you need help, our e-commerce team can assess your current setup and identify fast wins for peak and beyond.

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