Impact of Trump’s New Tariffs on the Car Shipping Industry

By Alex Longley
Mar 27,2025 (Bloomberg) – The stocks of companies involved in international car transport took a significant hit after President Trump escalated his trade conflict by imposing tariffs on foreign-made vehicles. Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA saw a drop of up to 9.1% in Oslo, marking its lowest point as 2023, while Hoegh Autoliners ASA fell by as much as 7.4%.

In recent years, the maritime sector dedicated to car transportation has thrived due to a surge in exports from china that outstripped vessel availability. though, this growth has started to wane with new ships entering the market and demand stabilizing post-pandemic. Now, with the intensifying trade war and new tariffs looming over vehicle imports, the industry faces additional challenges.

Analysts at Fearnleys Securities, including Fredrik Dybwad, noted that “if everything remains constant,” we can expect a decline in car shipments heading into the US. This downturn is highly likely to impact seaborne volumes and subsequently affect earnings for car carriers.

Considering these developments,it’s essential for stakeholders within this niche market to adapt thier strategies accordingly. As an example, companies might explore diversifying their shipping routes or investing in option markets where demand remains robust despite tariff pressures.

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