Hapag-Lloyd: Stability and quality in focus for 2026

How are shipping lines preparing for the year ahead? APM Terminals Gothenburg spoke with Kristoffer Hellstrand, Country Manager Sweden at Hapag-Lloyd, to learn how the shipping line is preparing for the year ahead and how they view the outlook for the global logistics market.

How do you view the logistics year 2026?

We are entering the year with a fairly positive feeling. For us at Hapag-Lloyd, the Gemini cooperation has been a real success. After the first year, we feel confident that the concept works, and now the focus is on continuing to develop it together with our customers and partners.

What are you most optimistic about – and most concerned about?

Our optimism mainly comes from demand. The industry has had two stable growth years – around 6 percent in 2024 and just over 4 percent in 2025 – and demand in the container segment remains strong.

Gothenburg is a clear example. For Hapag-Lloyd, the development has been strong, not least thanks to the direct service to Asia and the shuttle setup, which creates smoother and more predictable flows for customers.

At the same time, we need to remain humble – the world around us is still unpredictable. US trade policy, the situation around Suez and the war in Ukraine all affect our planning conditions. If traffic through Suez were to normalize faster than expected, the global capacity balance could change quickly – which in turn would affect both port flows and freight rates. In that case, it is crucial to stay one step ahead.

How are you working to create stability in a still uncertain market?

Our Strategy 2030 provides a clear direction going forward, with a focus on quality, digitalization and creating real customer value. The Gemini cooperation also strengthens our stability. With high schedule reliability and a robust network, we create the predictability customers are asking for – especially in a market that is still characterized by uncertainty.

What do you value most in a port or terminal partner today, and what will be important going forward?

For us, port and terminal partnerships are more strategic than ever. Price is of course important, but productivity, flexibility, digital integration and operational stability are just as critical. We want to work with partners who think long term and share our focus on quality and safety.

In today’s global logistics environment, disruptions spread quickly, and strong partnerships are essential for delivering the stability customers expect.