Global Volumes Continue to Impress in July 2025
As we enter the second half of 2025, global container volumes remain highly promising, reaching 16.57 million TEUs in July, an increase of 3.0% compared to June’s strong performance. Year-to-date, volumes are up 4.5% versus 2024 and an impressive 12% versus 2023. With global volumes exceeding 16 million TEUs for three consecutive months, this marks a first in the CTS database, highlighting the market’s resilience and strength despite earlier concerns. While volumes remain robust, the Global Price Index declined slightly by 2 points in July, standing at 84 points, compared with 118 points at the same time last year.
Regional Imports Supporting Strong Global Volumes
Europe also recorded healthy import figures, rising 2.87% month-on-month and 7% year-to-date, primarily driven by exports from the Far East and the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East. Looking at year-to-date performance, the strongest regions for imports were the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South & Central America, all up by over 8%. Sub-Saharan Africa leads the way with a 16% year-to-date increase, primarily fuelled by Far East exports. These shifts underscore how emerging “smaller” markets are increasingly playing a more prominent role in global trade.
Healthy Global Exports
The Far East achieved remarkable export volumes in July 2025, standing at 10.4 million TEUs, the highest monthly figure ever recorded for the region in the CTS database. Far East exports have consistently exceeded 10 million TEUs for three consecutive months, and the main recipient regions: Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South & Central America, have all experienced substantial gains from these trades.
