Taiwan's Yang Ming Marine Transport will strengthen cargo sources and improve slot utilization to counter trade and geopolitical uncertainties, reports London's S&P Global.

The carrier stated that risks from evolving trade policies remain significant sources of uncertainty. It has launched three services this year and plans to add 22 containerships to its fleet by early 2030. New loops include a Far East-Latin America pendulum, a Vietnam shuttle express, and a China-Singapore-Malaysia service utilizing three 2,800-TEU vessels.

Yang Ming will also take delivery of three 15,600-TEU LNG-fueled ships this year after receiving two in February. While vessel supply is expected to outpace demand growth, rerouting to avoid the Middle East war zone will absorb surplus capacity, the carrier noted.

Alphaliner forecasts demand growth at 2.5 percent this year compared to supply growth of 3.8 percent, with 1.61 million TEU of new capacity scheduled for delivery. Yang Ming stated it continues to strengthen deployment and cost competitiveness to capitalize on post-Labor Day shipments and peak season demand.

The International Monetary Fund has cut its global growth forecast to 3.1 percent, citing geopolitical uncertainty and energy price volatility. Yang Ming observed that manufacturing in major economies remains resilient despite these concerns.

In the first quarter, net profit slumped 81 percent to US$50 million, while revenue fell 14 percent to $1.2 billion. Almost 60 percent of revenue comes from Asia-Europe and US transpacific trades. Wan Hai Lines reported a net profit decrease of 15 percent to $243 million.