Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. projected a more optimistic outlook for the second quarter as ongoing Red Sea disruptions continue to constrain global shipping capacity and boost freight rates.
The Taiwanese container carrier noted that geopolitical tensions have created scattered port congestion across Canada, Asia and Europe as shipping alliances reorganize. Company officials emphasized they won’t resume Red Sea routes while security risks persist, with Strategy Chief Yi-da Wu stating vessel and crew safety remains their paramount consideration.
Yang Ming executives also addressed potential impacts from Trump’s “Revitalize American Shipbuilding” initiative during their investor conference, revealing they operate relatively few Chinese-built vessels. The carrier has already pivoted toward greener vessels, recently purchasing three 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ships from Japan’s Shosen Mitsui O.S.K. Lines for approximately $339-360 million.
Looking ahead, the carrier cited emerging signs of economic recovery based on recent manufacturing data. North American contract rates for 2025 have been secured at higher levels than last year, offering a positive signal despite ongoing concerns about Trump’s tariff policies and their potential to shift global trade flows.
