Container volumes rise, outlook unsettled

Insight from Container Trades Statistics Ltd (CTS) reveals that global container trade began 2026 on a positive footing, with January volumes reaching 16.03 million teu, a 4% increase compared with January 2025 and nearly 10% higher than January 2024.

The figures equate to an average of 517,236 teu handled per day, up 3.5% from the daily lifting rate recorded a year earlier.

Strong 2025

While volumes were down 5.4% month on month, this decline follows December 2025’s record-breaking performance and was widely anticipated within the port business as global markets normalise after an exceptionally strong year-end.

Import demand continued the momentum seen throughout 2025, with most regions posting year-on-year growth.

The Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East recorded a 12% increase in imports, while Sub-Saharan Africa expanded by 13%, reflecting continued demand for Far East cargo and strengthening trade flows into emerging markets.

However, the global exports picture remains more uneven. The Far East, Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa recorded export growth of 6%, 10% and 16% respectively, while South and Central America showed no year-on-year change in exports.

Despite the encouraging start for container trade, CTS noted that it remains too early to predict how geopolitical developments could influence the port business and global exports in the months ahead.

February volumes are also expected to decline seasonally due to Japan’s Golden Week and the shorter trading month.