As we move into the second half of 2025, several major ocean carriers are rolling out plans to normalise service loops and restore reliability against the persistent backdrop of port congestion, conflict rerouting and seasonal demand pressure.
Maersk has announced several service reinstatements and enhancements, launching the new TP9 loop from Asia to West Coast US in the final week of June. The route connects Xiamen, Busan and Long Beach, and marks the strategic restoration of capacity on the transpacific route that had been withdrawn in Q1 and Q2.
At the same time, Maersk has expanded its transatlantic services in anticipation of increased US import volumes, adding ports calls to its TA2 and TA10 loops that include Charleston and Savannah.
The Danish giant has also moved to strengthen its Asia-Europe corridor by deploying the Berlin Maersk on the AE3 loop from Shanghai to North Europe. The vessel, which is the first of six 17,480 TEU diesel methanol vessels, is scheduled to enter service on July 7, and signals the start of the company’s ongoing investment in sustainable container shipping.
CMA CGM, meanwhile, is recalibrating services from the start of July, the most notable of which is the return of its India-Mediterranean MEDEX service to the Suez Canal. Its reinstatement is partly down to improving stability in the area and better insurance conditions.
Elsewhere, the carrier has launched the Scandinavia West Coast Express (SWX), which comes into play on July 16. The SWX connects Gothenburg, Aarhus, Klaipeda and Gdansk, and aims to alleviate bottlenecks in Northern Europe through more agile feeder options.
Further afield, CMA has set new FAK rates on the lanes serving the Indian Subcontinent and South and Central America. The rates come into force on July 3, and indicate a stabilisation of capacity and confidence in market demand. General surcharges for SEAS services come into effect on July 1, aligning prices with the cost of sustained service realignment.
And finally, MSC is expected to align its Asia-Mediterranean services with CMA CGM’s return to the Suez, restoring shorter transit times and reducing reliance on Cape of Good Hope Detours. The company will maintain its deployment of 24,000 TEU ULVCs on select West African routes, a move that underscores its strategy of applying mega-vessel scale to emerging markets.
Generally speaking, with blank sailings and equipment availability improving, carriers are signalling a gradual return to consistency. That said, ongoing congestion in Northern Europe, sustained geopolitical uncertainty, and seasonal demand mean these adjustments are likely to be dynamic. Shippers are therefore advised to monitor routing updates, build in-transit buffers and be wary of surcharge as carriers continue to refine their networks as we move into Q3.
Author: Tom Holmes
Source: Ti Insight
Supply chain strategists can use GSCi – Ti’s online data platform – to identify opportunities for growth, support strategic decisions, help them stay abreast of industry trends and development, as well as understand future impacts on the industry.
Visit GSCI subscription to sign up today or contact Michael Clover for a free demonstration: [email protected] | +44 (0) 1666 519907
For your logistics and transportation management needs
Providing high frequency logistics and supply chain data and analysis for all those invested in the industry.