Image Source: Maersk
According to Shipping Exchange news, multiple data sources confirm that global container trade is demonstrating strong resilience, with robust import demand from Latin America, Europe, and Africa; however, regional disparities are significant, with weak demand on the US trade lane, while volumes on intra-Asia and Middle East trade routes are more stable.
Demand trends show a diverging pattern
In its “Q3 Market Update Asia Pacific,” Maersk stated that as 2025 enters its final quarter, supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region continue to evolve amidst ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties and dynamic adjustments in trade policies.
Maersk’s internal September data shows that global container trade demonstrated strong resilience from May to July, with a year-on-year increase of 4.9%. Import demand from Latin America, Europe, and Africa was strong, while exports from West Central Asia and the Far East also maintained steady growth.
However, regional differences remain significant: North American import volumes were flat year-on-year, still significantly below the 2011-2019 average. Far East Asia import volumes also declined, falling 4.2% during the May-July period. SeaIntelligence (Issue 732) confirmed this diverging trend, pointing to weak demand on the US-bound routes, while cargo flows on intra-Asia and Middle East trade lanes were more stable.
Global container trade performance exceeds expectations, showing strong resilience
The latest data from Container Trades Statistics (CTS) shows that global container trade volume continues to defy expectations of an August slowdown. After exceeding 16 million TEU for three consecutive months, it reached 16.61 million TEU in August, slightly surpassing the historical record of 16.59 million TEU set in May this year, indicating that the actual performance of the shipping market this year is stronger than expected.
CTS stated, “August continued this trend of strong performance, reaching 16.61 million TEU, which is currently the highest monthly freight volume on record in the CTS database, surpassing the 16.59 million TEU from May 2025.”
CTS noted, “Although the month-on-month growth is modest at 0.2%, this highlights the continued strength of global container trade volumes in 2025.”
CTS data shows that the global container trade volume in the first eight months has exceeded 126.75 million TEU, a 4.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
CTS pointed out, “It is clear that the market performance this year has exceeded expectations. Monthly data setting new records for several consecutive months and resilient trade patterns highlight the strength and adaptability of the global container shipping market.”
CTS emphasized, “The actual performance in 2025 has far exceeded initial forecasts, highlighting the market’s ability to maintain growth while coping with challenges.”
However, weak freight rates continue to concern operators, with the CTS global freight rate index falling for the second consecutive month. More concerning is the long-term trend—since December 2002, its freight rate index has been declining, with only a brief one-month rebound in May.
CTS noted, “The global freight rate index fell by 3 points in August to 81 points, continuing a steady decline since June 2025.”
“In comparison, the index was at 115 points during the same period last year, indicating that the market is undergoing continuous adjustment despite strong volume performance.”
Poor performance on North American routes
The performance of North American routes in August was poor, forming a sharp contrast with the strong global container trade.
According to the latest CTS data, only imports from Oceania and Sub-Saharan Africa saw growth, while imports on the Far East trans-Pacific dry routes decreased by 12.3% year-on-year, a reduction of approximately 300,000 TEU compared to August 2024, indicating the impact of US tariff policies on this year’s “peak season.”
Image Source: CTS
It is particularly noteworthy that CTS data counts goods loaded in August, not the volume of containers unloaded at the destination port.
Diverging pattern, Far East – Other routes show double-digit growth
Meanwhile, the ability of other markets to absorb the Far East’s sustained high export volumes showed no signs of weakening in August. Except for North America, all other routes showed double-digit growth in freight volume.
Image Source: CTS
US September container imports fell 8.4% month-on-month
According to Shipping Exchange news, Descartes data shows that in September 2025, US container import volume decreased by 8.4% month-on-month to approximately 2.308 million TEU. This further confirms that, due to the uncertainty of Trump 2.0 tariff policies, container imports at major US ports will steadily decline before the end of the year.
Image Source: Descartes
In September 2025, US imports from China decreased by 12.3% month-on-month and 22.9% year-on-year to 762,000 TEU. This represents a 25.4% decrease compared to the historical peak of 1.023 million TEU set in July 2024. In September, China’s share of US container imports fell to 33.0% from 34.5% in August.
Image Source: Descartes
At the port level, in September, container import volume at the top 10 US ports decreased by 7.9% month-on-month, or 169,455 TEU. Most major ports saw declines, with larger drops at the Port of Long Beach (-11.4%), Baltimore (-12.6%), and Savannah (-9.1%). Volumes also decreased at the Port of Los Angeles (-7.6%), New /New Jersey (-8.6%), Charleston (-7.6%), Norfolk (-6.2%), and Oakland (-6.4%). The Port of Houston saw a slight decrease of 2.0%. In contrast, Tacoma was the only port to see growth, with a month-on-month increase of 4.7%. The September import data for the top 10 US ports highlights seasonal influences and also suggests importers may remain cautious in responding to tariff uncertainties.
East Coast and Gulf Coast ports see slight increase in market share, West Coast ports see slight decrease
In September 2025, the top 5 West Coast ports’ share decreased from about 44.1% to 43.9% (-0.2%). The market share of the top 5 East Coast and Gulf Coast ports rebounded slightly to 41.3% (+0.5%).
Image Source: Descartes
Overall, the top 10 US ports accounted for 85.2% of total container imports in September, a slight increase of 0.3% from August.
Slight improvement in delays at major US ports in September
Overall, major US ports continue to handle throughput efficiently, with no signs of significant congestion.
Image Source: Descartes
Descartes analysts pointed out that the continued federal government “shutdown” and weak economic indicators will continue to put pressure on global supply chains. The US government “shutdown” will lead to approximately 750,000 federal employees being furloughed. Although port container import volumes remain stable, prolonged disruption could create backlogs, increase compliance uncertainty, and add another layer of risk to supply chain planning.
Meanwhile, US tariff policies are now facing legal challenges in the Supreme Court, causing importers to weigh risks and prioritize advance shipments and supply chain diversification. The newly added “301 Port Fee” may increase transportation costs and customs clearance risks. Although Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the impact of the Red Sea crisis on supply chains is expected to persist.
