Polarization among logistics players: lines shipping advance, 3PL/4PL firms and exporters struggle
- gamlthvietdata
- Jun 23
- 1 min read
As tariff dynamics between the U.S. and China shift, global exporters are rushing to ship goods-triggering a surge in ocean freight demand.
According to Vietdata’s June 2025 Macroeconomic & Sector Brief, Vietnam’s seaport throughput reached 93.5 million tons in May 2025, marking a 14% year-over-year increase. Notably, export container volumes jumped nearly 20% month-over-month.
⚓ Key highlight: Freight rates and surcharges spiked as major carriers like MSC, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd simultaneously hiked fees by $300–$2,000 per container. This surge was driven by:
Urgent shipments ahead of expiring tariff exemptions
The U.S. extending duty relief until June 16, sustaining export momentum
Widespread port congestion spreading from Europe and the U.S. to Asia, with vessel waiting times reaching 4–6 days
The logistics landscape shows clear segmentation:
Shipping lines and feeder service operators are enjoying margin expansion
Logistics providers (3PL/4PL, fixed contracts) face margin compression if unable to pass rising costs to clients
Exporters dependent on containerized cargo-especially seafood 🐟, fruits 🍎, garments 👕, furniture 🪑, and electronics 💻-are facing short-term headwinds
Other Transport Modes Remain Active:
✈ Air transport gained momentum in response to surging tourism demand, with domestic carriers handling ~5 million passenger trips.
🚛 Road transport continued to benefit from improved expressway infrastructure. However, segments like traditional taxis and long-haul trucking remain under cost pressure due to fleet upgrades and regulatory constraints.
🚉 Rail transport surprised the market as metro ridership increased by 76% YoY and revenue rose nearly sevenfold, largely attributed to the Cat Linh–Ha Dong and Nhon–Hanoi Station lines.
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