Discover the top challenges in freight forwarding—rising fuel costs, port delays, and supply chain disruptions—and learn practical solutions businesses can adopt in 2025.
Top Challenges in Freight Forwarding and How Businesses Can Overcome Them
Port congestion, geopolitical crises and carrier capacity swings
One of the clearest freight‑forwarding headaches in 2025 is congestion at ports and within international trade corridors. Tensions in the Red Sea and targeted attacks on vessels have forced ships to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding up to two weeks and nearly a million dollars in extra costs per voyage . These disruptions have a ripple effect: when container vessels are stuck, shipments arrive late, manufacturing slows and shelves remain empty, creating cost spikes and trade imbalances . Even though carriers have ordered new ships and overall capacity has grown, the market is still adjusting – on Asia–Europe lanes, rates fell seven percent despite ongoing detours because capacity increases outweighed longer transit times . Geopolitical friction, labour strikes and weather‑related closures are expected to continue causing erratic availability of ships and equipment . Businesses can’t change global geopolitics, but they can diversify routes and maintain flexible buffers. Using a forwarding partner with a broad network and the ability to secure space on multiple carriers helps companies respond quickly when primary lanes become congested. Falcon Global Logistics illustrates this approach – by moving large volumes across many carriers, it offers frequent departures to and from major ports and can provide end‑to‑end solutions across transport modes . Such adaptability reduces the risk of goods being stranded when a crisis hits.
Rising costs, sustainability rules and the march towards decarbonisation
Costs have always been a central concern for shippers, but the drivers are shifting. In 2025, volatile fuel prices, higher insurance premiums and labour contracts remain prominent, yet the biggest cost pressure now stems from regulatory measures aimed at climate action. The European Union’s Emissions Trading System and FuelEU Maritime rules, which take effect in January 2025, impose stricter emissions caps and require alternative fuels on voyages . Many forwarders are feeling the pinch of carbon pricing and the investment required to comply with these standards. Meanwhile, surveys show that decarbonisation is still seen as critical by customers – 79 per cent of logistics IT vendors say cost reduction remains the top challenge, but sustainability and ESG initiatives still matter to a third of customers . Freight companies are investing in route optimisation, cleaner fuels and energy‑efficient technologies . For shippers, the best strategy is to work with forwarders who view environmental performance as integral to their business. Falcon Global emphasises reliability, environmental impact and cost in its vision ; by prioritising sustainability as a core service rather than a bolt‑on, forwarders can offer solutions that meet regulatory requirements without sacrificing timeliness.
Data gaps, digitalisation and cyber‑security pressures
Real‑time visibility remains a sore point for many shippers. Fragmented data and delayed tracking leave companies blind to supply chain disruptions; yet studies show that real‑time monitoring can reduce spoilage by 60 per cent and improve compliance . Despite a surge of interest in logistics technology, the industry underutilises available digital tools. Inbound Logistics’ 2025 survey found that 58 per cent of vendors experienced sales growth of ten per cent or more in supply‑chain IT, but many logistics providers still rely on email and spreadsheets to move freight . Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming mainstream – 71 per cent of IT providers now offer AI solutions, up from 50 per cent a year earlier . Generative AI enables predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and documentation automation , yet these benefits come with cyber‑security risk. As data volumes increase, cyberattacks are a growing threat, and companies must invest in robust encryption and authentication . To overcome visibility issues, businesses should adopt platforms that integrate data from warehouse, transport and customer systems and provide real‑time alerts. Forwarders such as Falcon Global incorporate advanced tracking and management systems, offering real‑time visibility and updates on shipments . Pairing such technology with human expertise empowers shippers to make proactive decisions and reduces the likelihood of data breaches.
Labour shortages, last‑mile bottlenecks and theft
Another persistent challenge is the human factor. Logistics companies worldwide are grappling with driver shortages, ageing equipment and competition for skilled warehouse staff; this shortage drives up wages and can slow deliveries . Last‑mile inefficiencies are especially costly – they account for roughly 41 per cent of logistics spending and are plagued by porch piracy, route delays and failed deliveries . Organised cargo theft is also rising; data from Overhaul shows theft surged 33 per cent year‑over‑year, with hotspots in regions like California and Texas . Digital tools such as route optimisation software, secure hand‑off systems and tamper‑evident packaging help mitigate these risks, but they cannot fully replace a skilled workforce. Companies must invest in training and retention while deploying automation judiciously – the aim is to free human staff from repetitive tasks so they can focus on problem‑solving. AI systems can automate customs documentation and identify anomalies , but human judgement remains essential for negotiation and accountability .
Complex compliance, nearshoring and the drive for resilience
The regulatory environment is more intricate than ever. New customs rules require detailed documentation for even small packages, and environmental and safety standards demand emissions reporting and digital tracking . To navigate this, many businesses are turning to nearshoring and regionalisation. Maersk notes that companies are diversifying suppliers and strengthening intraregional networks to mitigate disruptions and improve resilience . Nearshoring not only shortens transit times but also reduces exposure to geopolitical shocks. At the same time, consumer expectations for transparency and fast delivery remain high ; e‑commerce growth requires forwarders to provide end‑to‑end visibility and responsive customer service . Building resilience means designing supply chains that can adapt – a concept known as antifragility, where systems actually improve under stress . Working with experienced forwarders that offer customs expertise, warehousing and multimodal transport options – like Falcon Global, which handles LCL and FCL shipments, dangerous goods, road transport, and customs clearance – allows businesses to adjust routes and modes quickly. Falcon Global’s global network and local presence in more than ninety countries provide the flexibility needed to support diversified supply chains.
Building a collaborative, technology‑enabled future
Looking ahead, the freight forwarding sector is poised for both turbulence and innovation. Digitalisation, decarbonisation and resilience will continue to dominate strategic conversations . Companies that succeed will be those that blend advanced technology with human expertise. Trusted partners like Falcon Global show how forwarding firms can support shippers through capacity swings, regulatory complexity and evolving customer demands. By investing in real‑time visibility, sustainable practices, workforce development and diversified networks, businesses can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantages.
