Since 2020, global shipping has lurched from one crisis to the next: pandemic port closures, container shortages, attacks on ships in the Red Sea, drought restrictions in the Panama Canal and repeated tariff changes. For exporters in Vietnam and Cambodia, disruption is no longer an exception — it is something to plan for.
What recent disruptions have taught us
| Event | Impact on shippers | Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Pandemic congestion (2020–2022) | Record freight rates, weeks of port delays | Capacity can vanish quickly — secure space early |
| Red Sea diversions (from late 2023) | Ships rerouted around Africa, longer transits to Europe and the US East Coast | Have alternative routings ready |
| Panama Canal restrictions (2023–2024) | Fewer transits, higher costs on all-water East Coast services | West Coast + rail can be a hedge |
| Tariff changes (2025 onwards) | Rushes to ship before deadlines, sudden cost changes | Build tariff scenarios into pricing |
Six steps to a more resilient supply chain
1. Map your end-to-end flow
List every step from raw material to customer: suppliers, factories, ports, carriers, warehouses. You cannot protect what you cannot see.
2. Diversify routings and ports
Know at least two ways to reach your key markets — for example US West Coast plus rail versus all-water to the East Coast, or Vancouver versus Prince Rupert for Canada.
3. Hold the right buffer stock
A few weeks of safety stock in a US warehouse can protect sales when sea transit stretches. Weigh the storage cost against the cost of empty shelves.
4. Mix transport modes
Use ocean for base volume and air freight for urgent top-ups. A split shipment strategy often costs less than lost sales.
5. Write flexibility into contracts
Include clauses for surcharges, force majeure and tariff changes. Choose Incoterms that match who controls — and who can manage — each risk.
6. Work with a forwarder who communicates
Early warnings about blank sailings, congestion or rule changes give you time to react. Ask for regular status updates and alternatives, not just tracking numbers.
Regional shifts creating opportunity
Many brands have diversified sourcing towards Vietnam and Cambodia to reduce concentration risk. That brings growth — and a need for logistics partners who can connect factories in both countries with buyers in North America. Overland links between the two countries (see Vietnam–Cambodia shipping) are part of that resilience.