Trade Movements in 2025: The Impact of Tariffs on Maritime Routes

In the world of global logistics, 2025 has been marked by a significant shift, with the United States experiencing a tumultuous year due to tariff policies. During this time, Donald Trump served as the President of the United States, commencing his second term on January 20, 2025.

The turbulence in the logistics sector has been well documented, with data from various sources painting a clear picture. For instance, the IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform has reported a trend towards fewer but fuller shipments as businesses optimised freight costs in anticipation of tariff implementations.

One of the most striking observations comes from SC Codeworks, whose freight activity data shows a 32.2% year-over-year surge in units shipped in March, despite a 20% decline in order volume. This anomaly can be attributed to importers rushing to consolidate shipments before tariff deadlines, as seen in the spikes in shipping volumes in March and June of 2025.

However, this surge was not sustained, and the U.S. import volumes have since taken a hit. The decline is primarily due to tariffs and the resulting economic uncertainty. In fact, U.S. container import demand has plummeted in 2025, a trend that has become a significant discussion point in the logistics industry.

To navigate these challenges, third-party logistics (3PL) firms have relied heavily on the SC Codeworks Warehouse Management System (WMS). This system has proven critical in helping these firms adapt to the changing landscape, with its real-time tracking and data integration capabilities enabling businesses to maintain efficiency amid these conditions.

Average on-hand inventory levels have risen by 4% year-over-year as businesses stockpiled goods to mitigate disruptions. However, this temporary relief was short-lived, as a brief pause in April provided only temporary respite. The logistics sector remained volatile as traditional planning gave way to reactive strategies.

Data from the IndexBox platform also indicates a 63.7% rise in monthly order volatility, signalling heightened market uncertainty. As global supply chains face ongoing instability, dynamic planning tools like the SC Codeworks WMS are becoming essential for companies looking to stay competitive.

The fall in U.S. import volumes is a significant trend that is being closely watched in the logistics community. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how businesses continue to adapt to these challenges and how the logistics landscape evolves in response.

We welcome your thoughts and feedback on this topic in the comments section below. As always, the goal is to foster a meaningful dialogue about the issues that matter most in global logistics.