If the last few years taught shipping anything, it’s that the ocean doesn’t just move cargo — it moves strategy. Carriers, shippers, and logistics teams are navigating a market that balances seasonal demand with structural change: larger ships, increased automation, tighter environmental targets, and a wave of port investments around the world that will ripple through schedules, costs, and routing choices.
In this blog, we unpack the latest trends in ocean shipping, take a look at some of the current and upcoming port investment projects, and examine how major port projects are likely to impact global supply chains in the near future.
1. Bigger ships and fewer calls — but smarter networking
Ultra-large container ships (ULCS) have been the industry’s primary instrument for lowering unit costs. Networks are being optimized for scale with fewer port calls and longer overland or feeder routes. This model enables efficiency when volumes are steady, but it also concentrates the risk at the ports to handle these larger volumes.
The industry’s response has been twofold: ports are upgrading to accommodate larger vessels and longer berths, while carriers are rethinking their schedules to maintain reliability. When a port can consistently berth ULCS, carriers are more likely to call directly instead of transshipping, which shortens transit times and reduces handling steps and costs.
In February of this year, APM Terminals Maasvlakte II broke ground on a major expansion of its terminal to create one of the most advanced container terminals in the world. Upon completion, it will double the capacity of APM Terminals MVII, making it the largest, most efficient, and automated APM Terminals operator in Europe.
2. Automation, digitalization, and the “port as data center”
The designs of expansions at several European terminals and Tuas in Singapore address both the need for increased physical capacity and the ability to accommodate digital advancements within the ports. Automated stacking cranes, remote operations, private 5G, and terminal operating systems that talk directly to carrier networks are no longer optional. Blockchain technology is also making waves by providing a secure, transparent way to manage shipping documentation.
The payoff is predictable: lower terminal dwell times, more consistent gate performance, and tighter ETAs. For shippers, this means that forecasts and exceptions become more accurate. For carriers, it means smoother berth windows and less “surge” cost. For inland partners, such as rail and ground transportation, it means a shift from reactive dispatching to scheduled, electronically coordinated moves.
3. Rail-on-dock and inland integration — for seamless logistics
Ports aren’t islands: inland capacity, including rail yards, highways, and warehousing, determines whether added berth capacity actually translates to faster supply chains. U.S. port infrastructure projects are increasingly focusing on on-dock rail and expanded rail yards to evacuate volume quickly, rather than stacking it.
That’s why investments like the Port of Long Beach’s terminal expansion and improvements at the Port of Los Angeles are significant not just at the docks. These projects aim to deepen berths to accommodate larger vessels and upgrade facilities to transfer cargo more efficiently from the dock to scheduled, high-capacity inland moves. Shippers can expect reduced dwell times and fewer chassis/tariff surprises where rail and port planning are synchronized.
4. The decarbonization lever — new equipment and pilots
Ports are under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. As a result, new terminals are being built with electrified cranes, shore power, and space for alternative fuels. The impact is gradual: lower emissions per lift and the start of a cleaner fuel supply chain. As expectations of sustainability continue to rise, cargo owners are seeking “green routes” as part of their procurement, and carriers may face new port incentives (or surcharges) linked to their emissions profiles.
The Port of Rotterdam has implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy, aiming to become a leading green port by 2030. Automation and electrification, when combined, make emissions reductions achievable at scale — but they also require predictable power, grid upgrades, and coordination with local regulators.
5. Geographic diversification — new hubs, new routing options
New ports, especially in underserved regions, are changing the map. Recent openings in South America and West Africa have already attracted direct loops and transpacific/Atlantic discussions. When a new deepwater terminal opens and secures direct routes, it can shave days off shipments by eliminating the need for transshipment. That’s a big deal for supply chains that have relied on a few mega-hubs.
Chancay in Peru and Lekki in Nigeria illustrate this, providing new deepwater capability in West Africa. They create alternative gateways that reduce the dependency on areas that are current chokepoints. In turn, this can mean lower costs and faster access to major markets for regional exporters.
6. The impact on near-term freight rates and reliability
- Capacity relief without instant price drops. New infrastructure adds physical capacity and eases congestion premiums, but inland constraints mean gradual gains, not sudden rate collapses.
- Improved schedule reliability. Ports that successfully add berths, automation, and rail evacuation generally see fewer cascading delays, which reduces schedule risk premiums.
- Modal shifts where incentivized. Where ports invest in on-dock rail and offer competitive rail slots, short-haul trucking may soften while multimodal stabilizes.
Port infrastructure investments, however, are often completed over several years, with a lasting impact that extends beyond the near term. As the fastest-growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts, for instance, the Port of Savannah laid out renovation and expansion plans in February that extend through the middle of 2028. Through a series of projects, the goal will be to increase capacity, add berth space, boost container yard and rail capacity, and grow the truck gates.
Practical takeaways for shippers and logistics teams
Expect a mixed but improving picture. Some ports will pilot full automation and show step-change improvements in productivity; others will grapple with land-side constraints and political delays. Overall, the direction is clear: capacity + digitization + greener operations. For shippers, that means more routing options, gradually better reliability, and new levers to trade off cost versus speed and emissions. Steps to take:
- Re-evaluate your service portfolio. With new hubs becoming viable, test alternative routing scenarios — especially for time-sensitive lanes or inventory-critical SKUs.
- Negotiate for reliability, not just price. As rate volatility softens, service reliability and predictable lead times become differentiators. Look for contractual SLAs tied to berth windows and dwell.
- Plan for greener supply chains. Ports with shore power and electrified equipment will increasingly be the preferred nodes in sustainability-minded networks. Consider incorporating carbon-aware routing into procurement.
- Invest in visibility. As ports automate, demand for real-time EDI/API integrations grows. Attention to digital connectivity will pay dividends in predictability.
Ports used to be the passive ends of a line. Today, they are vital components reshaping how the entire supply chain flows. If you’re a shipper or logistics manager, it’s time to treat port strategy as part of your core network design — not an afterthought.
TOC Logistics is the full-service global freight forwarding division of the ProTrans group of companies. Our team focuses on inbound to manufacturing with a heavy concentration on the East-West trade lanes. Contact our team today to learn more about our freight forwarding capabilities and established consolidation programs.