As the year-end peak season comes to a close, Maersk reports a mixed picture in North America. While maritime operations remain stable, land networks, customs, and warehouses face growing tensions that point to a 2026 marked by structural changes in regional logistics.
Current status of maritime transport
Shipping from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Indian subcontinent to the United States and Canada continues to operate with good space availability. The TA1, TA2, TA10 and TA12 services from Europe, as well as the MECL from India, which maintains constant weekly departures, are noteworthy.
Despite the instability in the Red Sea, Maersk has not modified its East-West (Gemini) network, prioritizing cargo and crew safety. The company maintains on-time performance of over 94% on its transpacific routes to the West Coast.
Increasing pressure on land and inland transport
While the maritime outlook is positive, inland logistics in North America faces structural challenges. In the U.S., driver availability has been reduced by regulatory changes in commercial licensing and language requirements, and carrier permit revocations continue to exceed 5,000 per month, reflecting a sustained contraction of capacity in the sector.
In Canada, low water levels in the St. Lawrence River and a shortage of railcars are causing delays of up to two weeks in rail movements, especially from the West Coast. These conditions are forcing earlier planning for inland movements by both truck and rail.
LCL is gaining ground as a cost-effective alternative
Less-than-container load (LCL) has gained prominence as a strategic alternative for importers seeking savings over air freight. On routes between Asia and North America, LCL volumes are on track to reach record highs in the first quarter of 2026.
With rates up to 80% lower than air freight and pay-as-you-go options, this mode offers flexibility in an environment of high costs and accelerated inventory turnover. The automation of consolidation centers and digital booking centers is further streamlining transit times.
New challenges in customs and tariffs
The regulatory environment has undergone significant changes affecting importers in sectors such as electronics, metallurgy, machinery and food. In the U.S., strict enforcement of Section 232 on steel and aluminum requires full certificates of origin to avoid penalties.
In addition, new tariffs ranging from 10% to 35% have been imposed on products from India, Vietnam and Turkey, while audits for misuse of exemptions on small shipments are being intensified.
In Mexico, tax reforms for e-commerce will take effect in 2026 and previous benefits for certain imports will be eliminated. Tariffs of up to 210% were also imposed on sugar from countries without trade agreements in force.
Maersk’s new strategies for 2026
Looking ahead to next year, Maersk emphasizes the importance of anticipating logistical adjustments. The company has incorporated artificial intelligence-based tools to optimize routes, anticipate disruptions, and ensure capacity for critical shipments, which have been shown to reduce logistics costs by up to 15% and improve service quality by 65%.
Maersk analysts recommend securing fixed rates, diversifying distribution networks and consolidating strategic alliances to navigate the commercial and climate uncertainty that could dominate the first quarter of 2026.
Ahead of Christmas, Maersk has secured capacity in its last mile network, in a context where a 5% increase in parcel volumes is expected compared to 2024. The company advises its customers to maintain realistic delivery dates and prepare for a significant increase in returns during January.
Source and photo: Maersk