Speaking at an event organised by the Spanish Shippers’ Council, ESC Secretary General Godfried Smit addressed the growing impact of geopolitical uncertainty on global supply chains and the implications for European shippers.
He noted that recent crises — including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Suez Canal blockage, and the war in Ukraine — have fundamentally reshaped logistics thinking. Concepts such as “just-in-time” have gradually given way to priorities such as resilience, diversification, and supply chain agility.
Godfried stressed that companies themselves are at the centre of this adaptation process, through decisions on sourcing, transport routes, and supplier networks. At the same time, he underlined the importance of a competitive and well-functioning regulatory framework in Europe, including efforts to address market concentration and improve service quality in logistics markets.
Collaboration between supply chain partners was highlighted as a key element of resilience. In this context, he welcomed initiatives such as the Spanish Shippers’ Council’s Shipper of Trust, which promotes responsible and reliable partnerships across the logistics chain.
Looking at global trade developments, Godfried pointed to the increasing politicisation of international commerce and the growing importance of trade agreements in ensuring supply security and promoting European standards. He also noted that new EU regulatory measures, while pursuing important objectives, add to the complexity faced by businesses operating in global markets.
Concluding his remarks, ESC Secretary General emphasised that uncertainty has become a defining feature of today’s geopolitical environment. In this context, resilience, cooperation, and stable trade relations remain essential for maintaining efficient and competitive European supply chains.