Despite turbulent trade conditions, global container volumes recorded steady growth in the first half of 2025.
According to provisional figures from Container Trades Statistics, worldwide full TEU volumes rose by 4.5% between January and June, reaching 93.5 million TEU.
Intercontinental cargoes increased by 4.7% to 62.6 million TEU, while intra-regional volumes advanced by a slightly lower 3.3% to 30.9 million TEU.
Export performance was uneven across regions. The Far East led the growth with an 8.2% increase, shipping 32.9 million TEU, while Australasia, the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent, and Latin America also registered positive results.
North America, excluding intra-North America flows, saw a significant decline in export traffic.
On the import side, most regions recorded strong growth, with the notable exception of the Far East, where volumes dropped by 6.3%.
North America imports rose by 4.0%, partly due to frontloading ahead of the then-anticipated U.S. tariffs.
Intra-regional trade trends were mixed. Major trades in the Far East, Europe, and the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent all posted substantial increases, as did the smaller sub-Saharan Africa trade.
By contrast, intra-North America and intra-Australasia volumes declined.
