Disrupted supply chains remain a persistent challenge for European shippers, significantly impacting their financial performance.
This finding comes from a comprehensive survey conducted with over 2,000 Maersk customers across Europe.
The survey reveals that over 76% of businesses have experienced operational delays over the past year due to supply chain disruptions.
Additionally, 22% reported more than 20 disruptive incidents within this period, and a third faced difficulties in sourcing essential materials for production. Nearly 60% of cargo owners said these disruptions incurred far higher costs than anticipated.
The survey results highlight the continued volatility of the logistics environment, even after the Covid-19 pandemic’s effects have subsided.
In addition, new disruptions are largely driven by rising geopolitical tensions and severe weather events linked to climate change, such as low water levels in critical canals and rivers or floods that damage infrastructure, as recently seen in Spain. Geopolitical instability is a top concern for the future, with 80% of logistics professionals identifying it as the main potential disruptor to their supply chains in 2024.
According to a statement, the findings also reveal that over half of the businesses surveyed (53%) are exploring new sourcing locations due to these disruptions, with one-third (33%) considering destinations closer to Europe.
Among the most favoured options are Turkey (11% of respondents), followed by Egypt (7%), Poland (6%), Morocco (3%), and Romania (2%). To support these shifts, Maersk offers an extensive transportation network across Europe, including rail, barge, and other inland solutions, as well as warehouse facilities in these key locations, complemented by a robust intra-Europe ocean network.
“If there is one thing that we have learnt lately, it is that disruption is imminent, and we also know from our customers that they see it that way. But very importantly, we see that European businesses are conscious that the best way to tackle disruption is to increase resilience in supply chains. The survey brings a wealth of findings for us at Maersk, allowing us to work on solutions that truly help our customers. Such understanding of what really matters to them and how they see the future is truly invaluable,” stated Aymeric Chandavoine, President of Europe at A.P. Moller-Maersk.
