Senior executives from leading global shipping companies and industry groups underlined growing operational and economic challenges to goods trade during a 28 May meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. They noted that, while global supply chains have demonstrated resilience, efforts to identify and rely on alternative maritime routes amid disruptions - particularly in the Gulf region and other chokepoints - are driving up costs for shippers and ultimately consumers.

The industry representatives noted that while they were adapting and innovating, tightening capacity constraints across transport networks were presenting serious difficulties. With some alternative land-based routes and ports already saturated, shifting cargo away from maritime routes presents significant limitations and imposes increasing costs.

One executive highlighted the scale gap, noting that it can take around 70 freight trains to match the capacity of a single container ship.

Industry representatives further pointed to operational bottlenecks, including customs delays linked to multimodal logistics and the use of alternative corridors. These constraints, combined with rising costs and route uncertainty, underscore the importance of investment in improved port and logistics infrastructure globally to maintain efficient and predictable trade flows.

The industry executives emphasised the importance of respect for multilateral norms and agreements, including the longstanding principle of freedom of navigation.

Director-General Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the critical role of maritime transport - which carries over 80% of global trade by volume - and called for strengthened cooperation between governments and the private sector.

Addressing industry concerns regarding customs delays, she stressed the importance of full implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and other facilitation measures, such as digitalization of customs procedures, timely information-sharing, and restraint in the use of trade restrictions to support supply chain resilience and stability.

DG Okonjo-Iweala encouraged the industry representatives to continue engaging with the WTO Secretariat and other international organisations to spotlight the increasing challenges they face.