The Drewry World Container Index has fallen for five consecutive weeks, impacted by tariff policies and economic downturn, leading to weak freight rates. Analysts forecast that further demand shrinkage may increase downward pressure on future freight rates.
The global shipping industry is currently facing three major challenges: U.S. trade policy, instability in the Middle East, and uncertainties surrounding decarbonization regulations. Industry leaders are calling for increased investment in new fuels and digital tools to ensure competitiveness and sustainability in a rapidly changing environment.
The international express industry is transitioning from a traditional experience-driven approach to a standardized process based on ISO certification and service quality ratings, enhancing service quality and management efficiency. ISO certification not only optimizes express processes but also provides companies with an effective risk management framework. In response to changing customer values, the service rating mechanism is continuously evolving, increasing trust and competitiveness in the express industry.
Maersk recently revealed that the average effective tariff in the U.S. currently stands at 21%, significantly down from 54% in April. The company anticipates that global trade and consumer confidence in the coming months will be influenced by a potential trade agreement expected to be reached by July 9. Clients across various industries are gradually reducing their dependence on China, demonstrating the flexibility of businesses to adapt to changes in international trade.
Maersk announced the cessation of cooperation with 97 companies linked to Israeli settlements in an effort to enhance compliance with international human rights standards in its shipping operations. This decision has been welcomed by the PYM organization, reflecting the company's commitment to social responsibility.
This article analyzes the main reasons for international air freight price fluctuations in 2025 and the strategies companies can adopt in response. It emphasizes cost optimization through methods such as cargo consolidation, strategic selection of transportation windows, and intelligent routing, while reinforcing the adaptive capabilities in the dynamics of supply and demand.
Despite facing high tariffs and the termination of China's cargo exemption policy, global air cargo demand in May still grew by 2.2% year-on-year, with strong performance across several routes. IATA pointed out that the industry's resilience indicates an ability to continue adapting to the changing international trade environment.
In May 2025, international air cargo demand grew by 2.2% year-on-year, demonstrating the industry's resilience. Despite a contraction in global manufacturing and the impact of U.S. tariff policies on certain regions, the Asia-Pacific region experienced the fastest growth in cargo demand at 8.3%. Additionally, falling oil prices provided relief for the airlines.
Small U.S. importers are struggling due to constantly changing tariff policies, forcing them to adjust procurement strategies or abandon markets. The key to overcoming this challenge lies in flexible supply chain management and risk assessment, enabling businesses to remain competitive in an uncertain trade environment.
FedEx has recently revised the calculation method for freight surcharges, rounding up the dimensions of any package starting from August 18. This change undoubtedly brings new challenges to B2C e-commerce shippers, testing their ability to gain a competitive advantage within a complex freight rate structure.
