US tariff shock sharply reduces global container shipping orders: Phaata CEO

The tariff shock from the U.S. and China has caused a sharp decline in container shipping orders, forcing businesses to re-evaluate their entire global supply chain strategies.

Nguyen Hoai Chung, CEO of Vietnam's Phaata Logistics Exchange, made the remark in a talk with The Investor on Thursday.

Chung cited data from Vizion, an API-based solution for container shipment tracking, saying that after a strong start in early 2025, following a recovery momentum starting in 2023, the booking volume for containerized imports into the U.S. has decreased by 20% compared to the peak in January, although it is still 30% higher than the same period in 2024. This sudden change is said to be directly related to concerns about tariff increases.

Shippers, reacting to information about tariff increases, have rushed to "buy goods" to get ahead of potential tariff increases. However, as tariff uncertainty escalates, the impact on trade flows is becoming more apparent, he added.

According to Chung, during the period from March 24 to April 8, the global logistics industry saw a severe decline across many sectors, what Vizion calls a “tariff earthquake”.

Global TEU container volumes fell 49%, total imports into the U.S. plunged 64%, exports from the U.S. dropped 30%, imports from China to the U.S. decreased 64%, and exports from the U.S. to China went down 36%.

These numbers coincide with the Trump administration’s announcement of new tariffs on April 2, followed by China’s retaliatory actions on April 5. The result was a widespread “freeze” in shipping bookings as shippers paused to reassess their logistics and trade strategies.

A closer look at individual product groups shows the impact. Comparing the two weeks of March 2-March 30 and March 31-April 6, several sectors saw sharp declines in U.S. import orders.

Apparel and accessories were 59% down, while wool, fabrics, and textiles plunged 57%. As a seasonal and non-essential category, these are often the first to respond to economic and policy changes. Their high sensitivity to price and consumer demand makes them an early indicator of broader trade trends, noted Chung.

The impact on manufacturing inputs from China is equally severe, especially in key items such as plastic, with a 45.4% decline; copper (down 31.1%); and wood (a 24% decline).

These are important materials in the industrial and manufacturing supply chain, currently under great pressure from tariffs. The situation became even more tense when, on April 10, the White House announced a new tariff on Chinese goods of up to 145%, including the previously announced 125% tariff plus a 20% import surcharge, he commented.

"Vizion said data shows that shippers initially ramped up shipping to “avoid tariffs,” then quickly stopped as the situation worsened. Looking ahead, the rest of 2025 is likely to be dominated by uncertainty.

"With other trading partners receiving 90-day tariff deferrals, Vizion warned that importers and exporters should brace for continued volatility, reflected in erratic demand, shortened order cycles, and a major restructuring of global sourcing strategies," said Chung.