Hapag-Lloyd's Chief Executive Rolf Habben Jansen stated on Wednesday that the demand for container shipping across the oceans around the world has increased significantly in the last few weeks, but this upswing could be short-lived.

At an online presentation, the CEO informed customers that the rise in sales since the beginning of May is due to a combination between stocks being replenished by some sectors and unexpectedly high demand from customers. He also said that shipping companies were bringing deliveries forward to prepare for the peak season.

Habben Jensen said that people want to stay safe, given the uncertainty surrounding the second half year.

He said that the situation was not improving because people were booking the same container twice or three times.

Spot rates, which are the fees charged by shipping companies for short-term deliveries, have increased significantly over the last four to six week. He said, "That was unexpected."

The CEO said that an increase in U.S. Tariffs could be another factor. The CEO, however, said that the increase was temporary and did not expect it to last until the end the year.

Hapag-Lloyd, the fifth-largest shipowner in the world, has traditionally focused on North America as a key business area.

The CEO predicted that the situation in the Red Sea which has caused disruption to the industry, as major shipping companies have avoided the Suez Canal should ease by the end of this year. Elke Ahlswede is reporting, Miranda Murray is writing, and Madeline Chambers is editing.