Konflik perdagangan global, khususnya antara Amerika Serikat dan Tiongkok, telah menyebabkan perubahan signifikan dalam dinamika perdagangan internasional dan memberikan dampak langsung terhadap sistem transportasi laut dan logistik global. Sejak tahun 2018, penerapan tarif dan kebijakan proteksionis oleh kedua negara telah memicu perubahan pola perdagangan, menciptakan ketidakpastian pasar, serta mendorong relokasi aktivitas produksi ke negara-negara alternatif seperti Vietnam dan India. Transportasi laut—yang mengangkut sekitar 80% dari total volume perdagangan dunia—menghadapi tantangan besar berupa perubahan rute pelayaran, fluktuasi volume pengiriman, serta peningkatan biaya logistik. Beberapa pelabuhan utama di Tiongkok mencatat penurunan aktivitas bongkar muat, sementara pelabuhan di Asia Tenggara dan kawasan lainnya mengalami lonjakan trafik sebagai dampak dari perubahan alur distribusi global. Ketidakpastian dalam rantai pasok juga menuntut perusahaan logistik untuk meningkatkan fleksibilitas dan ketahanan operasional. Di sisi lain, perubahan rute pelayaran secara tidak langsung berkontribusi terhadap peningkatan emisi karbon, sehingga menimbulkan tantangan baru dalam konteks keberlanjutan lingkungan. Studi-studi terkini yang dimuat dalam jurnal seperti Maritime Policy & Management serta Transportation Research Part E menunjukkan berbagai strategi adaptif yang diterapkan oleh pelabuhan dan perusahaan pelayaran dalam merespons kondisi ini. Analisis ini menegaskan pentingnya perumusan kebijakan global yang terkoordinasi untuk memitigasi dampak negatif terhadap transportasi laut serta mendukung keberlanjutan jangka panjang industri maritim di tengah dinamika geopolitik yang terus berkembang.

The global trade conflict, particularly between the United States and China, has significantly altered the dynamics of international commerce and has had a direct impact on maritime transportation and global logistics systems. Since 2018, the imposition of tariffs and protectionist policies by both countries has triggered shifts in trade patterns, created market uncertainty, and driven the relocation of production activities to alternative countries such as Vietnam and India. Maritime transport—which handles approximately 80% of global trade volume—faces major challenges, including changes in shipping routes, fluctuations in cargo volume, and rising logistics costs. Several major ports in China have reported declines in cargo handling activity, while ports in Southeast Asia and other regions have experienced increased traffic due to the reconfiguration of global supply chains. Supply chain uncertainty has also required logistics companies to enhance their operational flexibility and resilience. Furthermore, rerouting of vessels has indirectly contributed to an increase in carbon emissions, posing new environmental sustainability challenges. Recent studies published in journals such as Maritime Policy & Management and Transportation Research Part E highlight various adaptive strategies adopted by ports and shipping companies in response to these conditions. This analysis underscores the importance of coordinated global policy responses to mitigate the negative impacts on maritime transportation and to support the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry amid ongoing geopolitical shifts.