MAERSK chief executive CEO Soren Skou said he expects a "modest" pick-up in trade for the upcoming holidays this year amid concerns about the slowing global economy and consumer demand, Reuters reported.
"Volumes headed into the Christmas season are lower than a normal year," Mr Skou said.
Ocean freight volumes will be flat or lower this year, though there is still congestion in global supply chains, he said. US consumers aren't buying as much as they did during the pandemic and confidence has been hurt by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Skou's comments come as freight rates have this year started falling from near record highs, following a period of surging consumer demand and pandemic-related logjams at ports.
They remain well above Covid levels. Maersk has raised its 2022 profit guidance twice this year as high freight rates persisted longer than expected.
In August, Mr Skou said he expected a normalisation of the global shipping market towards the end of the year, as inflation and a worsening economic situation has hit consumer demand.
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