Drewry's recent Global Container Terminal Operators Annual Review and Forecast reveals a significant 6.5% year-on-year increase in global port throughput volumes for 2025, reaching 994 million TEUs. This growth occurred despite ongoing geopolitical complexities affecting the shipping industry. The report emphasizes that the most pressing environmental challenge for terminal operators across the sector is now the decarbonization of their operations.
All 19 major global terminal operating companies featured in Drewry's league tables have publicly committed to achieving net-zero emissions. The timelines for these commitments vary, with targets set between 2040 and 2060, indicating a widespread industry shift towards sustainability.
For freight forwarders and supply chain professionals, this focus on decarbonization at the terminal level means several potential impacts. There will likely be increased investment in green technologies and infrastructure at ports, such as electric yard equipment, renewable energy sources, and shore power facilities. While these initiatives are crucial for environmental sustainability, they could lead to changes in terminal operations, potentially affecting vessel turnaround times or introducing new surcharges to cover the costs of these investments. Forwarders should monitor these developments closely as they may influence port selection, transit times, and overall logistics costs.
