Car-carrying ships moving goods between Europe and the United States, as well as Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea, have increased in the early months of the year compared to the previous year. This surge in shipments indicates that businesses are accelerating deliveries in anticipation of upcoming tariffs.

Specifically, in February, there was a rise in the number of roll-on, roll-off ships departing from Europe to the U.S., with 33 ships recorded compared to 28 in February 2024. These ships are mainly used to transport new cars, with an estimated increase of around 30,000 vehicles being shipped across the Atlantic.

Similarly, the number of ships carrying cars from Japan, China, and Korea to the U.S. increased in January, with 69 ships departing compared to last year. This trend is expected to continue, with more shipments en route to the United States.

The announcement of a 25% tariff on auto imports by the United States has had implications on the auto industry globally, leading to concerns and responses from various governments and car companies. Despite some carmakers exploring options to expand production in the U.S., others are being cautious due to uncertainties surrounding the tariff implementation.

Recent data from Esgian indicates a 5% increase in the number of car carriers heading towards U.S. ports from different parts of the world. The new tariffs could potentially raise vehicle costs significantly, contrary to promises of alleviating consumer inflation, further impacting the automotive industry during a period of transition to electric vehicles.