Where Is Container Growth Really Coming From?

Global demand is up. The growth map looks very different underneath.

Global container trade reached 98.4m TEU in H1-26 according to CTS.

That was +5.2% year on year.

A healthy number.

But look underneath it.

One trade lane grew 27.7%.

Another fell 16.4%.

And 16 trade lanes declined while the global market was growing.

Ships do not move against a global average.

They move between real markets.

And those markets are moving at very different speeds.

That will shape where ships, services and investment are needed next.

So where is growth really coming from? And which markets are falling behind?

Here are 5️⃣ signals behind the shift:

1️⃣ The Far East is still driving exports

2️⃣ The fastest import growth is elsewhere

3️⃣ Some trade lanes are pulling far ahead

4️⃣ Others are moving the other way

5️⃣ Carriers are already reacting

Let’s dive in…

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1️⃣ The Far East is still driving exports