Stuart Chirls
4 min read
In This Article:
It’s a disrupted supply chain world, and we’re just living in it. Or are we?
In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty and volatility, supply chain resilience is a critical focus for businesses worldwide. “The New Normal: Building Resilient Supply Chains in a World of Constant Disruptions,” a podcast hosted by Maersk (OTC: AMKBY), took a deep dive into the myriad factors impacting global trade and how shippers can thrive amid these challenges.
Geopolitics has emerged as a central theme influencing supply chains. During the discussion, James Hookham, director of the Global Shippers Forum, underscored how geopolitical tensions and policy shifts significantly contribute to trade disruptions. He advises shippers, exporters, and importers to brace for continued instability.
“The world just seems to be in a different paradigm at the moment,” Hookham said, highlighting that disruptions are not solely political but also driven by climate change, extreme weather events, and labor disputes.
Zera Zheng, global head of business resilience at Maersk, echoed this sentiment, indicating that disruptions are becoming a persistent element of global trade operations. She refers to these challenges as “compound disruptions,” where multiple issues intersect to create complex challenges for businesses.
“We’re moving into a new mindset of compound disruption where there’s just one thing after another,” Zheng said, suggesting that companies need to adapt to an environment where disruptions are continuous and multifaceted.
At the midpoint of 2025, companies face several key challenges. Tariff uncertainties, particularly U.S. tariffs, loom large. Zheng points out the legal ambiguities surrounding tariffs, especially following the U.S. Court of International Trade’s ruling on the IEEPA Emergency Act. “There’s a new twist emerging … creating uncertainties for shippers,” she warned, indicating that these legal fluctuations could have widespread implications for logistics and trade strategies.
Climate risks also constitute a formidable challenge. With forecasts suggesting a hotter and drier year for Europe, Zheng emphasized the need for vigilance concerning natural phenomena like wildfires and hurricanes.
“The overall weather patterns appear quite milder than the past two years, but certain regions still need closer attention.” These environmental disruptions demand that supply chain leaders incorporate climate resilience into their strategic planning.
Against this backdrop of perpetual disruption, the question arises: should businesses adopt a proactive stance or a “wait and see” approach?
