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Ships that carry cars to the US send additional cargo ahead of tariffs

Shipping data shows that in the first few months of this year, more cars were shipped to the United States from Europe, China, Japan, and Korea than in the previous year. This is a sign that companies are loading up their shipments in advance of tariffs.

According to Esgian, a data analytics company that monitors shipping routes worldwide, 33 roll on/roll off ships, designed for wheeled freight and mainly carrying new cars, left Europe in February of this year. This is up from 28 in the same month in 2024.

Stian Omli said that these ships would have been able carry 30,000 additional vehicles across the Atlantic.

In January, the number car-carrying vessels leaving Japan, China, and Korea for the U.S. increased by eight compared to last year. Omli predicted that some of February's shipments are still on the way to the United States.

Omli stated that "evidence indicates increased activity from Europe, and the Far East... these two regions are the major export regions for the U.S."

On Thursday, the announcement by the United States of a 25% tax on auto imports sent ripples through the auto stock market. Governments from Ottawa to Paris threatened retaliation while car companies like BMW and Volkswagen begged for agreements to avoid a trade conflict.

Some carmakers have announced their plans to increase production in the United States, while others have acted with caution. Executives have privately expressed doubts about whether or not threatened tariffs will actually come into effect.

Esgian's data shows that the number of car carrier ships bound for U.S. port from around the globe rose by 5% in the last week to 89.

The new taxes could add thousands to the price of an average car in the U.S. This is contrary to President Donald Trump’s promises to fight consumer inflation, and will further dampen demand at a moment when the industry is already struggling with the transition to electric vehicles. (Reporting and editing by Matthew Lewis in Berlin)

(source: Reuters)