Slowing US shipping growth, as reported by PIERS and the National Retail Federation, reinforces the need for stronger partnerships and smarter investment cycles. Ports will prioritize efficiency and cost reduction, and Konecranes believes that automation, electrification and predictive maintenance technologies will enhance throughput. Supporting modular upgrades and retrofits helps terminals optimize existing assets instead of purchasing new ones. Providing data-driven performance insights helps terminals with operators’ constrained budgets.
Unlike past slowdowns, driven mainly by cyclical global demand, slowing US shipping has been shaped by tariffs and geopolitical tension. At the same time, ports are under pressure to decarbonize and digitize. This makes the current cycle both more challenging and more transformative for the ports industry supply chain, but it can open up opportunities for larger industry players.
Additionally, tariffs and counter-tariffs continue to cause uncertainty in customer decision making. Konecranes is ready to ramp up production of US-made port cranes to meet domestic demand. We can also modernize existing port cranes with the latest technology and cybersecurity standards to improve the safety, productivity and sustainability of our customers’ operations.