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Global container trade remained resilient from May to July, growing by 4.9% year-on-year, according to A.P. Moller-Maersk internal data
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There was strong import demand in Latin America, Europe, and Africa, while exports were firm from West Central Asia and the Far East
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Intra-Asia volumes remained firm, while Europe and North America recorded more mixed performance due to macroeconomic uncertainty and evolving trade dynamics
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China’s share of global container trade continued to expand
Global container trade remained resilient from May to July, growing by 4.9% year-on-year, according to A.P. Moller-Maersk internal data.
In its latest Asia Pacific quarterly market update, Maersk said there was strong import demand in Latin America, Europe, and Africa, while exports were firm from West Central Asia and the Far East.
At the same time, regional divergence persisted with North America imports flat year-on-year and remained significantly below the 2011–2019 average while Far East Asia imports declined by 4.2% from May to July. It cited Sea-Intelligence, in its issue 732, confirming this divergence, highlighting subdued US-bound demand and more stable flows in Intra-Asia and Middle East trade lanes.
Global air freight demand, following strong performance in the second quarter, grew 9% year-on-year in June, before moderating to 5.5% in July, suggesting a gradual levelling after a period of strong growth.
Intra-Asia volumes remained firm, while Europe and North America recorded more mixed performance due to macroeconomic uncertainty and evolving trade dynamics.
Moving into the final quarter of 2025, “supply chains across Asia-Pacific continue to evolve amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and shifting trade policy,” Maersk said.
Meanwhile, China’s share of global container trade continued to expand.
“Total market data shows that Chinese exports to all regions outside North America are still trending upwards, contributing to China’s share of total global exports increasing to 37% and demonstrating a successful redirection of exports to regions where demand remains robust,” Maersk said in its latest Global Market Update.
In Latin America, China’s market share of exports has been increasing since 2019, hitting 38% in the first half of 2025.
China has also increased its market share of total container volumes to Africa to approximately 39% in 2025, up from 32% in 2019. Technology and mining & metals segments have seen the
biggest growth in the past 12 months, along with chemicals and automotive, which remain the biggest imports to Africa from Far East Asia.
Imports to Europe are also on the rise and exports from China made up 40% of total container imports in the first half of 2025, compared to 35% in 2019.
In the US, data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis indicates that inventory levels remained roughly aligned with demand. Data on inventory-to-sales ratio also suggests that businesses are holding leaner inventories than expected amid the front-loading narrative.
The China to North America corridor saw a 15% drop year-on-year in terms of total market volumes in the second quarter this year.
At the same time, however, container volumes from Southeast Asia to North America were up 17% from January through July, and volumes from Europe increased 4% in the same period.
“While some aspects have evolved, the broader picture is unchanged. Our customers are understandably being cautious. The review frequency of costs and risks is unusually high, as customers explore sourcing and supply chain optimisation during this period of somewhat blurred visibility,” said Karsten Kildahl, chief commercial officer at Maersk.
“The need for a high degree of flexibility remains the key for our partners in their efforts to maintain a competitive edge despite the heightened volatility,” Kildahl said.
READ: Maersk posts 2.8% revenue growth in Q2 2025
