What to expect in 2025 - 5 ways to make your supply chain antifragile

2025 is predicted to be as complex as 2024 and will have more than its share of hurdles. These hurdles and disruptions are unpredictable and can cause damage to all supply chains. A vital part of logistics planning is understanding where risk and weak spots might be and finding ways to lessen their impact, making supply chains more antifragile. Whilst there is much that cannot be controlled, there are steps that companies can take to lessen or altogether avoid the impacts of disruptions.

An antifragile supply chain handles disruptions

1. Build a resilient supply chain
   2024 highlighted that the world of logistics is changing, and the need for flexibility and agility in logistics. Often, a disruption results in domino effects that are felt for a long time afterwards. Whilst many logistics partners have chosen to maintain traditional network designs, whilst others like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd is implementing a new East-West network, Gemini, from early February 2025 .This network utilises leaner mainliners and shuttles together, allowing for isolation of port disruptions, minimising the impact of the disruptions to supply chains and routes. Additionally, working with an integrated logistics partner that has multiple solutions, be they by air, truck, barge or rail, allows supply chains to adapt around issues, whilst still meeting consumer demands and being less antifragile.

2. Implementing technological advances
   Working with a supply chain supplier that offers advanced real-time tracking systems and AI-powered analytics to provide comprehensive visibility across supply chains, is a key component in ensuring more resilience against disruptions. An AI-powered dashboard of analytics can provide end-to-end visibility of shipments, tasks, and updates, enabling efficient logistics management without the need to chase down data. Forecasting tools can give predictive analytics to optimise inventory, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency. A logistics provider that incorporates Internet of Things (IoT) into their digital solutions for live tracking of containers, monitoring shipments. Combining these tools with broader supply chain solutions offers seamless integration for global logistics and transparency and reactiveness.

3. Preparing for anything, instead of everything
   Contingency planning was a big theme for 2024; it remains so for 2025. Geopolitical instability, climate change and volatility, and changes to tariffs and legislation, all highlight the need for contingency planning and working with a partner who has insights into changes, and what solutions businesses should put in place. In 2025, businesses should seek to partner with a logistics partner that offers risk and disruption navigation through pre-planned procedures, risk assessments and alternative solutions, such as a Supply Chain Resilience Model, can help strengthen a business’ reaction and planning for the future.

4. Diversifying all aspects of the supply chain
   Supply chains have felt the impact of disruption throughout 2024, with the situation in the Red Sea resulting in all shipping having to avoid the Suez Canal, and instead going around the Cape of Good Hope. This, in turn, has caused heightened demand throughout the year, resulting in businesses trying to move cargo earlier to ensure they can meet customer needs. Though many logistics providers are taking steps to bring in more capacity, businesses may also see merit in taking advantage of nearshoring. As regionalisation has slowly but surely become more prevalent, businesses can use nearshoring to diversify suppliers and reduce their dependency on single sources. By ensuring that these suppliers and manufacturers are closer to the consumer market, businesses can keep production costs lower as well as have more ease of reaching market and avoid delays related risks from global disruptions. Additionally, utilising options closer to market can allow companies to better adapt to changes in consumer needs and behaviour, and further protect against disruptions. Some companies may also find it useful to stock critical materials for future, to act as a buffer against unexpected delays and/or issues relating to trade embargoes.

5. Understanding tariffs, legislation and regulations
   2024 was year of customs regulations in EU. In the U.S., once the new Administration takes office increased tariffs are expected. Although consistent with President-elect Trump’s first term, threats of increases are often used as a negotiating tool. Therefore, it is best to take a wait and see approach, then adjust accordingly. On the other hand, there is certainty that further EU customs are set to come into play.

   Working with a logistics partner that has expertise in customs can be a key way of avoiding disruptions and delays to a business’ supply chain, as well as ensuring businesses stay updated on regulatory changes, trade tariffs, and environmental laws.

Building antifragile supply chains in 2025

As the world prepares to step into 2025, the logistics and supply chain landscape will continue to evolve amidst rising complexities and unpredictability. The global economy is expected to grow modestly, with the possibility of higher inflation caused by lingering supply chain issues, continued geopolitical tensions and fiscal policies. Geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions could threaten global stability, and climate change action will continue to shape international cooperation. The security issue in the Red Sea is still ongoing and is expected to continue into 2025.

Again, time will tell how much of an impact potential U.S. tariff increases have on trade, if at all. Global supply chains have always proven to be resilient. Governmental instability in Germany and France threaten to act as a destabilising force in EU, whilst political uprising in Georgia due to the delay of becoming a member of the EU, can all have domino effects.

Whilst challenges may be aplenty, partnerships with logistics providers that can proactively offer resilience, innovation, and flexibility will be a game changer for businesses. Using adaptive strategies, leveraging advanced technology, and understanding shifting geopolitical and regulatory environments, logistics providers can help businesses weather disruptions while sustaining growth and seizing new opportunities, in the face of change.

The future of logistics may have challenges ahead, but these challenges can be overcome with the right partner. You can also get ahead by discovering more 2025 trends that will affect logistics with Maersk Logistics Insights and learn about logistics visibility solutions available at Maersk.