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Global container volumes reached a record 17.3 million TEUs in July 2026, underscoring the resilience of international trade despite disruptions across major shipping routes, says CTS
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July volumes rose 4.5% year on year, while global container liftings increased 5.1% year to date from the same period in 2025.
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The Global Price Index climbed to 115 points, up seven points month on month and 37% higher year on year
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The index has risen about 47% since the start of 2026, reaching levels last seen in August 2024
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Sub-Saharan Africa posted the strongest regional import growth, rising 14% year to date
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European imports increased 6.1% year to date, supported by an additional 1.5 million TEUs from the Far East
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The Far East led global export growth, up nearly 9% year to date or almost six million additional TEUs
Global container volumes reached a record 17.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July 2026, underscoring the resilience of international trade despite disruptions across major shipping routes.
Revised data from Container Trades Statistics Ltd (CTS) showed July liftings were about 25,000 TEUs above the previous monthly record set in May 2026.
July volumes also increased 4.5% year on year, while global container liftings for the first seven months of 2026 were 5.1% higher than in the same period last year.
The record volumes came despite continuing challenges in the container shipping market, including low water levels in the Panama Canal, the Gulf Crisis, higher oil prices and evolving tariff conditions.
Freight prices continue to rise
The Global Price Index rose to 115 points in July, up seven points from the previous month.
The index has increased by about 47% since the start of the year and was 37% higher than in July 2025. It has been on an upward trajectory since February, coinciding with the onset of the Gulf Crisis.
The index last reached comparable levels in August 2024, highlighting the pressure ongoing market disruptions are placing on freight rates even as container volumes remain strong.
Sub-Saharan Africa leads import growth
All regions posted year-to-date import growth through July except the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East, where imports fell 4.2%.
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the strongest growth, with imports rising 14% year to date. The Far East accounted for a significant share of the increase, with nearly 700,000 additional TEUs moving on the trade compared with the same period in 2025.
Cargo from North America to Sub-Saharan Africa also increased by nearly 15% year to date, pointing to the region’s expanding role in global container trade.
Europe likewise continued to post strong import growth, with volumes up 6.1% year to date. Far East cargo contributed significantly, adding about 1.5 million TEUs from the same period last year.
One factor supporting the Far East-Europe trade could be rising European demand for Chinese-manufactured vehicles.
“With capacity and cost pressures affecting traditional car-carrier services, the use of containers for some vehicle shipments could be contributing to additional volumes moving into Europe,” the report said.
Far East drives export growth
On the export side, the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East recorded the largest year-to-date decline, down 8.5%, while Europe posted a more modest 0.7% decrease.
Europe’s weaker export performance reflected limited growth across most destination regions. Sub-Saharan Africa was an exception, while exports from Europe to the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East fell by more than 10% year to date.
The divergent performance has widened the imbalance between Europe’s strong import growth and comparatively subdued exports.
The Far East, meanwhile, recorded the strongest export growth, rising nearly 9% year to date, equivalent to almost 6 million additional TEUs.
READ: Global container volumes rise 5.2% in H1 2026 – CTS report
Every destination region recorded growth in cargo originating from the Far East, with Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa making particularly significant contributions.
The continued strength of the Intra-Far East trade, the world’s largest container trade, further reinforces the region’s position at the center of global container flows.
Trade resilience faces new tests
July’s record volumes and elevated freight prices point to continued strength in global container trade as the industry enters the second half of 2026.
“What remains particularly striking is the resilience of global trade despite the growing number of challenges facing the industry,” according to CTS.
The Gulf Crisis and resulting pressure on oil prices, changing tariff conditions and constraints surrounding the Panama Canal are adding complexity and capacity pressures across major trade routes.
“Yet, so far, global volumes have continued to adapt rather than retreat.”
CTS said that as the industry moves deeper into the second half, the key question will be whether this resilience can be sustained and how global trade patterns evolve in response to the mounting pressures.
