- Slower Expansion Signals Trade Cooldown.
- 5% Growth Recorded in Jan–May Period.
- North America and Africa See Export Declines.
Global seaborne container volumes saw a growth of about 1.8% in May 2025 compared to the same month last year, keeping up the positive trend we’ve seen this year. However, this growth was slower than in previous months, indicating a slowdown after a strong start to the year. Interestingly, February was the only month in 2025 that experienced a decline, reports Container News.
Year-to-Date Performance Reflects Resilience
From January to May 2025, global container trade increased by 5% year-on-year, showcasing a solid demand overall. While most regions had a positive impact, some areas faced challenges. For instance, export volumes from North America and sub-Saharan Africa dropped, and imports in Australia also showed signs of decline, suggesting that trade performance is still quite uneven across different routes.
Trade Lane Trends Vary Across Regions
Looking at the major global routes, 33 of the top trade lanes saw growth in the first five months of 2025, while 16 experienced a downturn. These changes highlight a complex global landscape influenced by shifting consumer demand, policy adjustments, and various regional economic factors.
Freight Rates Continue to React to Market Forces
Freight rates, especially on the Asia–US routes, have been trending downward, driven by market corrections and changing booking patterns in response to tariff developments. Although cargo volumes have mostly stabilised, the pricing landscape remains quite volatile, which is a significant characteristic of the current market environment.
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Source: Container News
