According to Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA), container exports from Asia to Europe jumped 16% year-on-year in May, reaching 1.81 million TEUs. It’s the third month in a row of growth and the highest monthly total ever recorded, according to the Japan Maritime Center.
From January through May, total exports rose 10.5%, hitting 7.95 million TEUs.
The increase came across all regions. Exports from China and Hong Kong rose 15.7% to 1.43 million TEUs. North Asia grew 11.6%, and Southeast Asia surged 21.8%.
On the destination side, exports to North Europe led the way, up 17.6% to 1.13 million TEUs. Shipments to the Eastern Mediterranean climbed 14.2%, and to the Western Mediterranean, 12.9%.
Imports from Europe to Asia, however, continued to slide, down 10.3% in May to 485,831 TEUs. It marked the ninth straight month of decline.
North Europe sent 331,930 TEUs, down 9.3%. Imports from the Western Mediterranean dropped 16.6%, while shipments from the Eastern Mediterranean slipped 8.3%.
China imported 230,334 TEUs, a decline of 11%. Imports to Southeast Asia fell 15.1%, and Northeast Asia saw a slight drop of 2.9%.
