According to data compiled by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC) using information from Container Trades Statistics (CTS), container exports from Asia to Europe reached 16.58 million TEUs in 2023.
The Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA) stated that this marked a 7.8% increase from the previous year and brought the figures back to pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
By origin, containers from China swelled 9.5% to 12.5 million TEUs, leading the overall outbound container movement. Those from Northeast Asia were brisk as well, accomplishing a double-digit improvement of 12.1% to a total of 1.83 million TEUs. On the other hand, containers from Southeast Asia fell 3.7% to 2.24 million TEUs.
By destination, container exports from Asia increased across the board. To Europe, they went up 1.4% to 10.22 million TEUs; to the Western Mediterranean, 11.4% to 3.01 million TEUs; and to the Eastern Mediterranean, 28.9% to 3.35 million TEUs.
Meanwhile, imports from Europe to Asia totaled 6.47 million TEUs last year, which fell 3.5% from 2022 and have remained on a downward trend for three consecutive years.
By origin, containers from North Europe declined 5.1% to 4.53 million TEUs and from the Western Mediterranean, 5.2% to 1.02 million TEUs, but those from the Eastern Mediterranean climbed 4.5% to 916,708 TEUs.
By destination, imports to China waned 6.6% to 3.2 million TEUs and to Northeast Asia, 12.1% to 1.38 million TEUs; however, those to Southeast Asia picked up 8.7% to 1.9 million TEUs.