Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth-largest container shipping company, remains confident in its ability to navigate the latest round of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen reassured stakeholders during a press briefing, emphasizing that there’s no need for alarm despite the additional 10% tariffs that took effect recently.

Read also: Hapag-Lloyd Invests $4 Billion in 24 Dual-Fuel Containerships to Propel Decarbonization Goals

“It is too early to push the panic button,” Habben Jansen stated, highlighting the company’s adaptability to shifting transport flows. He noted that foreseeable changes, like tariffs, are easier to manage compared to sudden disruptions such as the 2023 Red Sea crisis, when Houthi militants targeted vessels in the Suez Canal.

Habben Jansen downplayed the immediate impact of the tariffs on global trade flows, drawing parallels to previous tariff implementations during former U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term (2017-2021). Despite those measures, global trade remained robust.

“The U.S. President also wants the U.S. economy to grow. They will need more goods for that,” he added, suggesting that demand for imports will persist regardless of tariff policies. He projected a 2.8% to 3% growth in global shipping volumes for 2025, with Hapag-Lloyd expected to outperform the industry average.

Hapag-Lloyd’s strategic initiatives, including the Gemini cooperation with Danish shipping giant Maersk, launched on February 1, are set to strengthen its market position. This partnership unites a fleet of 340 ships across seven major trade corridors.

In its preliminary 2024 earnings report, Hapag-Lloyd reported a fourfold increase in fourth-quarter earnings, contributing to a modest rise in annual profits. The company will release its full 2024 financial results on March 20.