Shipping Disruptions Raise Global Trade Costs, WTO Warned
Global shipping leaders have flagged rising freight costs and mounting capacity pressures as ongoing disruptions across key maritime trade routes continue to strain global commerce.
During a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, senior executives from leading shipping companies said rerouting cargo through alternative corridors is increasing operational costs and adding pressure across global supply chains.
The industry noted that while trade networks have remained resilient, limited capacity on alternative land and port routes is creating fresh bottlenecks. Executives highlighted that replacing maritime freight is difficult at scale, with one container ship carrying the equivalent of nearly 70 freight trains.
Shipping firms also pointed to customs delays and multimodal logistics challenges as factors adding to transit uncertainty and higher costs.
The industry called for stronger investment in port infrastructure, logistics modernisation and streamlined trade processes to maintain efficient cargo movement.
The developments are significant for sectors such as textiles, which remain highly dependent on predictable and cost-efficient global shipping networks for raw material imports and export competitiveness.
