Increasing protectionist tendencies in global trade policy present challenges for German shipping, according to the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) which warned that national interests must not come at the expense of free global trade flows.

As explained, increased tariffs and restrictive measures aimed at shielding national markets result in disrupted supply chains and rising transport costs. For shipping companies, this translates not only into potentially longer trade routes and higher operational expenses but also considerable planning uncertainty in global goods transportation, as per the association.