State of ocean transit 2025

Tariffs, labor unrest, and global tensions are redrawing the map of ocean trade. Here’s what you need to know.

2025 was a year that tested the limits of global ocean logistics. Escalating tariffs, shifting sourcing strategies, and geopolitical instability forced carriers, ports, and shippers to adapt in real time. Capacity was stretched, routes were rewritten, and resilience was redefined. 

project44’s 2025 State of Ocean Transit report dives deep into how trade policy, labor disruption, and infrastructure strain reshaped global shipping patterns this year, and what it means for supply chain leaders heading into 2026. 

Here’s what you’ll uncover: 

• Tariffs reshape trade flows: Global container volumes fell 13% year-to-date, while U.S. imports from Indonesia and Thailand surged over 30% as sourcing shifted away from China. 

• Ports stabilize, but fragility remains: Major ports like Los Angeles, Antwerp, and Rotterdam improved efficiency, but labor disputes and infrastructure strain continue to expose risk. 

• Canal transits flip: The Panama Canal rebounded 37% from 2024 drought lows, while Suez traffic plunged to half its normal levels amid Red Sea conflict. 

• Resilience redefined: 2025 proved that true resilience isn’t about rigid planning, it’s about intelligence, agility, and the ability to adapt at speed.