Source: Container Trade Statistics Ltd
In Some Ways a New Global Record
Global container volumes in November 2025 reached an impressive 16.6 million TEUs, ranking it as the third-highest month in what has already been an exceptionally strong year. Volumes were up 7% compared with November 2024, 12% versus 2023, and 22% on 2022 levels. While month-on-month growth was modest at just under 1%, the achievement is particularly notable given that November is a 30-day month.
To put this into perspective, the second-strongest 30-day month in 2025 was June, which recorded 16.2 million TEUs. In November, an average of 553,000 TEUs was lifted per day, surpassing August’s daily average of 543,000 TEUs, despite August holding the overall monthly lifting record. On a daily basis, November therefore stands as the strongest month of 2025, and had it included an additional day, it would have surpassed August as the highest monthly total.
The Global Price Index halted its four-month decline in November, rising by 2 points to 75, returning to the level last seen in September 2025. Despite this uplift, the index remains 20% lower than November 2024 levels. The last time the index sat at a similar level was in December 2023, reflecting continued pricing pressure despite sustained volume strength.
Regional Imports Highlight Emerging Markets Seen in 2025
Year-to-date import performance in November 2025 shows growth across all regions except North America, which recorded a 1.8% decline, equivalent to approximately 500,000 TEUs. While geopolitical concerns earlier in the year raised expectations of a sharper decline, this pullback has proven less severe than anticipated.
In percentage terms, Sub-Saharan Africa once again leads the way, with imports up 17.1% year to date. This result reflects Africa’s growing prominence as an emerging market throughout 2025. Growth in this region has been driven largely by increased cargo flows from North America and the Far East, both of which are up by over 25% on this trade.
Europe continues to post striking import figures, with imports up 7.4% year to date. Unlike previous years, this growth is spread relatively evenly across most exporting regions, with the exception of Australasia & Oceania. In absolute TEU terms, the Far East remains Europe’s dominant supplier, continuing the region’s import–export imbalance. In November, the Europe–Far East trade stood at 3.4 TEUs imported per 1 TEU exported for Europe.
Broad-Based Export Growth Continues
Exports show a broadly positive picture, with all regions recording year-to-date growth. The Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East lead in percentage terms, up 9.1% so far in 2025. This growth is distributed relatively evenly across destination regions, again excluding Australasia & Oceania. Notably, exports from the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East to Sub-Saharan Africa have surged by over 16% year to date, reinforcing the growing importance of these emerging trade lanes.
The Far East has also recorded strong export growth, up over 6% year to date, with increased cargo moving to all regions except North America, which experienced a 3% pullback. Despite this decline, volumes moving from the Far East into North America remain at levels that would still be considered ‘healthy’ by historical standards.
11 Months of a Remarkable Year
November has surprised many with its strength. Historically, volumes have softened slightly in November over the past four years, yet 2025 has once again deviated from this pattern. This reinforces the reality that 2025 is far from a ‘normal’ year for the container shipping industry.
With this continued momentum, a 5% year-on-year increase for the full year now appears firmly within reach, despite the numerous external pressures faced by the market throughout 2025.
European trends in 2025
Major northern European hubs (Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg) reported increased container volumes, with Hamburg showing strong growth (+8.4% in the first 9 months of 2025). HAROPA Port (Le Havre/Rouen/Paris) recorded 1.51 MTEUs in H1 2025, a +4% increase compared to 2024. Antwerp-Bruges: experienced high congestion and, for a time in May, severe disruption, yet managed to maintain top-tier throughput. Mediterranean Ports: Spanish ports saw softened, more modest growth (Valencia +3.9%), while Genoa saw a solid 7.9% growth
Severe congestion in June and July 2025 in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg resulted in 48–72 hour delays. Continued diversions around the Cape of Good Hope have extended transit times and created vessel capacity shortages, even with the influx of new ships.
Global container shipping is facing a significant oversupply, with capacity growing faster than demand (approx. 6–7% capacity growth vs. 2–5% demand growth in 2025).
While Asian-European routes remain active, European exports to North America fell by 4.5% in early 2025