The shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has restructured two of its main transatlantic freight transport services, which connect the Mediterranean with the East Coast of the United States. The Port of Barcelona is moving from the MEDUSEC service to EMUSA, whose route also includes the Spanish ports of Valencia and Algeciras, as well as the Portuguese port of Sines, which is also being removed from MEDUSEC. These changes are part of the new strategy of the Italo-Swiss company, which, following the dissolution of the 2M Alliance with Maersk, has decided to operate independently with occasional agreements.
A Year of Uncertainty in Freight Transport Services
The global sea freight transport sector has started the year with the same uncertainty that marked the end of 2024. While the labor agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance—valid until September 2030—is a positive development, it is counterbalanced by negative factors, such as the tariffs announced by the U.S. government, ongoing geopolitical instability with the crisis in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, and congestion at many key ports along international trade routes.
With the changes introduced to the MEDUSEC and EMUSA services, MSC aims to reduce transit times between the Mediterranean and the United States, cutting the journey between Genoa and New York to as little as nine days.
Lower Freight Rates and Reduced Cargo Volumes
Additionally, the restructuring of shipping alliances has been reflected in a downward trend in freight rates. According to the Drewry index, rates have dropped by 43% on the Transpacific route since January, 44% on the Asia-North Europe and Mediterranean routes, and 15% on the Transatlantic route.
Regarding cargo movement in Spanish ports, the monthly report from Puertos del Estado recorded a total of 43,040,910 tons in January, representing a 6.4% decrease compared to the previous year. However, container traffic increased by 2.9%, reaching 1,405,827 TEU.
More Full Containers at the Port of Barcelona
At the Port of Barcelona, during the first two months of 2025, full container traffic for import and export cargo grew by 22%. However, global trade uncertainty is reflected in the total volume of goods handled, which decreased by 4.3% compared to January and February 2024, totalling 10,112,957 tons. Container traffic also saw a slight decline, reaching 597,761 TEU (-1%).
Given the complexity of global supply chains and the specific challenges of each trade route, it is advisable to rely on experts in comprehensive international freight transport management, such as Startrans. Contact us to discuss your needs, and we will provide the best personalised solution.