Supply chain shifts drive demand for multimodal China-Europe logistics

Global supply chains, particularly between China and Europe, are undergoing structural shifts due to geopolitical tensions, maritime detours in the Red Sea, and airspace closures. To mitigate the volatility of direct airfreight rates and the lengthy delays of maritime routes, new multimodal logistics models are emerging. One such approach utilizes a combination of long-haul trucking through Central Asia and scheduled widebody flights, which can deliver goods in 10–14 days at a lower cost than traditional air cargo.

These disruptions are also impacting the life sciences sector, where companies are moving away from low-cost optimization toward building supply chain resiliency. The combination of shifting trade routes, new tariffs, and evolving geopolitical risks is forcing industries to rethink material sourcing and product delivery. Insurers are increasingly focused on these interconnected exposures as trade routes shift from high-tariff to low-tariff markets to manage economic uncertainty.