In December 2025, A.P. Moller-Maersk reported strong market activity across key regions worldwide, emphasizing capacity management, sustainability initiatives and strategic leadership changes as solutions for ongoing global supply chain challenges.
Beijing Maersk Achieves Historical Call at Tema Port, Ghana
Last week, Maersk Line's 350-metre dual-fuel methanol vessel Beijing Maersk with 17,480 TEU capacity made history by being the largest vessel ever to call at Tema Port in Ghana and operating under their joint-venture terminal with Meridian Port Services (MPS). This event showcased Temas capabilities in handling mega vessels as a transshipment hub in West Africa.
Departing with Ghanas cocoa cargo, this vessel showcases how trade growth and sustainability can work hand-in-hand. Equipped with methanol-enabled design features to support APM Terminals 2040 net-zero ambition and drive lower carbon logistics in the region.
Maersk Launches Reefer Rail Services in India
Maersk launched two reefer rail services to strengthen Indias cold chain infrastructure in November 2025. The ICD Sanand to Pipavav Port service operates weekly with power packs, real-time monitoring, dedicated technicians and 43 40-foot reefers per rake transported on each train rake; its inaugural run was started off 17 November 2025 providing better connectivity between processed food clusters in North Gujarat.
Maersk India Container Depots Palwal has just unveiled an innovative Reefer Block Train that reduces dependence on long-haul road transport while supporting export reliability and expanding Maersks inland reefer network across Western and Northern India - providing multimodal solutions that meet India's demand for sustainable EXIM logistics.
Maersk Appoints Ditlev Blicher as North America Regional President
On 30 December 2025, A.P. Moller-Maersk announced the appointment of Ditlev Blicher as their new Regional President for North America, an initiative designed to strengthen integrated logistics operations within this crucial market.
Plans to Resume Red Sea and Suez Canal Navigation
Maersk will resume navigation through the Red Sea via the Suez Canal when conditions permit, according to CEO Vincent Clerc. While partial transits have already started from early December as reported by Suez Canal Authority, Maersk has not provided an exact date in order to prioritize crew and cargo safety first and continue monitoring Gaza ceasefire progress.
Maersk recently decided to waive its disruption surcharge for Red Sea sailings on the India-US East Coast trade route, previously set at $200 per TEU and $450 per FEU since January 2024.
North American Market Resilience in Peak Season
Maersks December North America update highlighted available ocean capacity on key trades despite Red Sea monitoring, while Transpacific services boasted excellent reliability with 94.6 percent on-time performance to the West Coast and 88.1 percent to the East Coast, according to SeaIntel November 2025 data. However, Maersk also faced challenges on land such as railcar shortages and driver constraints which hampered their success.
Maersk Spot promotions for US-bound cargo support early 2026 planning, with space still available from Europe and Asia-Pacific routes ahead of Chinese New Year on 29 January 2026.
Latin America Service Adjustments and Year-End Preparations
Maersk resumed weekly sailings between Rio de Janeiro and Philadelphia beginning with Monte Alegre v.549S expected in Philadelphia on 4 December. Norfolk call suspension has been moved over to Cartagena transshipment while Rio will return weekly via Monte Azul 551N starting 29 December.
ECSA Shuttle services began operating biweekly from November on, providing improved Caribbean and intercontinental connectivity between Paranagua, Santos (DP World) and Manzanillo in Panama for improved Caribbean and intercontinental shipping connectivity. Year-end volumes in Honduras and Panama necessitate timely inland coordination to avoid congestion issues.
Enhancements and Customs Updates were implemented.
Saudi Arabias SABER 2.0 enforcement mandates advance certificates for high-risk goods via blockchain technology, with Maersk providing pre-clearance support. IMEA trade continues to remain resilient despite geopolitical volatility due to ocean reliability and digital customs investments.
Maersks strategic positioning for 2026 encompasses capacity expansion, sustainability and operational agility within an ever-evolving maritime environment.