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Senior shipping executives and the OMC They outlined the growing economic challenges of global trade. Disruptions to shipping routes have increased operating freight costs, affecting carriers and consumers who are urgently seeking alternative routes.
During the meeting led by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, General Director from the OMCIt was found that the resilience of supply chains is being severely tested. Forced disruptions, particularly due to conflicts in the Gulf region and other strategic locations, are imposing alarming additional costs and significant capacity limitations that directly impact the global business sector and the end consumer.
The impact of road saturation and the scale gap
Industry representatives noted that while the sector is adapting through technological innovation, capacity constraints in transport networks pose a critical obstacle. Shifting cargo from maritime routes to land corridors presents significant logistical limitations, as some ports and alternative routes are currently congested.
The "scale gap" was identified as one of the most limiting factors in the current ecosystem. Executives explained that the operational capacity of approximately 70 conventional freight trains is required to match the volume transported by a single container ship.
At the operational level, the sector faces serious bottlenecks that complicate the movement of goods. Among the main barriers identified are:
- Customs delays linked to the complexity of multimodal logistics.
- Forced use of inefficient alternative corridors.
- Constant uncertainty in the profitability of trade routes.
- Critical need for investment to modernize logistics and port infrastructure worldwide.
WTO's call to protect the flow of foreign trade
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala She noted that maritime transport moves more than 80% of global trade by volume, calling for much closer cooperation between governments and the private sector. To address customs delays, the directive urged the full implementation of the Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio from the OMC and other similar regulations.
The agency prioritizes solutions focused on digitizing customs procedures, timely exchange of trade information, and restraint in the use of government restrictions, with the aim of preserving the stability of the supply chain.
For their part, the shipping leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining absolute respect for multilateral rules and agreements, highlighting the historical principle of freedom of navigation as a fundamental axis of business internationalization.
Key facts about global shipping
The following are the key metrics and dates discussed during the institutional meeting, reflecting the current logistical impact:
| Indicator / Context | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Date of the institutional summit | May 28th |
| Intermodal scale gap | 70 freight trains are equivalent to the capacity of 1 container ship |
| Volume of international trade by sea | More than 80% globally |
Key participants at the logistics summit
The meeting brought together the elite of foreign trade, with the participation of senior executives from leading logistics groups such as MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Evergreen Marine Corp., Yang Ming y China Merchants Energy Shipping (Singapore).
Also present at the negotiations were the presidents and leaders of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the World Shipping Council.
Key points and frequently asked questions about the shipping crisis
Why are global shipping costs rising so rapidly?
The exponential increase in operating costs is due to severe disruptions in traditional shipping routes, such as blockades in the Gulf, which force companies to use alternative routes and assume higher logistical expenses.
Is it feasible to replace large cargo ships with trains or land corridors?
It is extremely limited. Port infrastructure and alternative land routes are already operating at saturation, and there is an insurmountable scale gap: matching the capacity of a container ship would require mobilizing up to 70 freight trains.
What measures does the WTO propose to expedite the affected trade flows?
La OMC advocates for the strict implementation of Acuerdo de Facilitación del ComercioThis implies advancing the digitization of customs, improving the exchange of information between international agents, and avoiding the imposition of extraordinary trade restrictions.
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