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Global container trade reached 16.03 million TEUs in January 2026, up 4% year on year and nearly 10% higher than in January 2024
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Average daily container lifting reached 517,236 TEUs, a 3.5% increase from January 2025
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Volumes declined 5.4% month-on-month compared with December 2025, which recorded the strongest monthly volume on record
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The Global Price Index stood at 77 points, unchanged month-on-month but 18% lower than January 2025
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The Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa posted the strongest import growth at 12% and 13%, respectively
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North America imports fell 8% year-on-year, while South & Central America declined 1%
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Export growth was led by the Far East (6%), Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East (10%), and Sub-Saharan Africa (16%)
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Analysts say it is too early to determine the impact of geopolitical risks on the shipping market this year
Global container trade opened 2026 on a strong note, with total volumes reaching 16.03 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, representing a 4% increase from the same month in 2025 and nearly 10% growth compared with January 2024, according to data from Container Trades Statistics Ltd (CTS).
The January performance translated to an average of 517,236 TEUs lifted per day, a 3.5% increase from the daily average of 499,455 TEUs recorded in January 2025, reflecting continued resilience in global shipping demand.
Despite the strong year-on-year growth, container volumes were 5.4% lower compared with December 2025, which had closed as the strongest month on record for global container trade. Market observers noted that a slight decline from December’s record levels was expected even with a robust start to the new year.
Freight pricing also remained subdued at the start of 2026. The Global Price Index stood at 77 points, unchanged from the previous month but 18% lower than its level in January 2025.
Import growth led by emerging markets
Across global imports, growth momentum seen throughout 2025 continued into the new year, with most regions posting gains compared with January 2025.
The Indian Sub-Continent, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the strongest increases, with imports rising 12% and 13% year-on-year, respectively.
Sub-Saharan Africa in particular remained a key growth market for containerized trade despite challenging economic conditions. The region’s import expansion continued to be driven largely by cargo flows from the Far East, although imports from Europe fell by more than 10% compared with the same period last year.
In contrast, North America and South & Central America were the only regions to record stagnant or declining import volumes.
North American imports fell 8% year-on-year, with shipments from nearly all exporting regions declining. Exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were the only flows that remained stable in the region.
Meanwhile, South & Central America recorded a 1% year-on-year drop in imports.
Export performance shows mixed trends
Export performance across global regions showed a more varied picture.
The Far East, Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa all registered export growth of 6%, 10%, and 16%, respectively.
Exports from the Far East continued to be supported by stronger cargo flows to most regions, except North America. Intra-Far East trade remained a major driver of the region’s export expansion.
South & Central America, however, recorded no year-on-year export growth in January.
Trade patterns in the region reflected mixed demand across destination markets, with exports to North America declining while shipments to Europe increased, offsetting the overall impact and leaving total exports broadly unchanged.
Outlook remains uncertain
Industry analysts cautioned that it remains too early to determine how emerging geopolitical developments may influence the shipping sector in 2026.
Nevertheless, January’s performance suggests that global container trade entered the year from a stronger position than in early 2025, providing a positive signal for the months ahead.
Market participants expect volumes to decline in February, partly due to the shorter 28-day month and the seasonal impact of Golden Week holidays in Asia.
In 2025, global container volumes fell by more than 13% from January to February, and analysts will be watching closely to see whether a sharper drop occurs this year amid changing market conditions.
READ: Global container volumes hit record 192.9M TEUs in 2025
