Four in five cargo owners across Europe expect supply chain disruptions to last for at least another 2 years, according to a new survey, which shows businesses are still struggling with trade tensions, shifting tariff rules, and an unpredictable geopolitical climate. The findings, based on feedback from more than 900 companies, reveal how major the concern has become across the region.
What’s Related
More than 78% of respondents said they expect geopolitical issues, trade tariffs, and global regulations to affect their operations well into 2027. Nearly half (48%) said they are “deeply concerned” about the geopolitical climate, and four in five said supply chain challenges are already weighing on business growth.
To deal with the pressure, companies are spreading sourcing across multiple suppliers. Three out of four said they are buying from multiple regions or planning to do so soon, a sharp jump from last year’s results. Many are also tightening relationships with logistics partners and key suppliers, with four out of five saying they are strengthening those ties. Three out of five said they’re investing in better visibility and more flexible operations, and three out of four said they are shifting to alternative trade routes.
“European businesses certainly haven’t had it all their own way over the past five years, and the ever-changing global environment facing them is definitely here to stay for the near future,” said Aymeric Chandavoine, President of Europe at Maersk. “More and more European businesses are refusing to sit back and wait for volatility to ease. Instead, they are looking to build smarter, more resilient networks that support their ambitions for growth.”
Tariffs remain a major stress point. Lars Karlsson, Maersk’s Global Head of Trade & Customs Consulting, said the sudden tariff changes earlier this year created anxiety for shippers. “That left many supply chain managers without sleep at night,” he said. “With the right tools and partners, you can control even such a black swan event. You need to be proactive and become more agile in a geopolitical environment like today.”
When asked what they expect from evolving geopolitics in the months ahead, companies pointed to three issues at the top of the list: higher import and export costs (46%), more trade tariffs (43%), and uncertainty in global trade policies (40%).
