Global container shipping volumes rose 4.5% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to Container Trade Statistics.
The growth slowed slightly to 4.4% by August, although the month recorded the highest ever global TEU volume.
All regions except North America posted year-on-year increases.
Among carriers, Hapag-Lloyd AG and COSCO SHIPPING Group outperformed the market average, handling 6.7 million TEU and 13.3 million TEU respectively, up 11% and 7%.
Most other top-10 carriers reported gains below 2.5%, including A.P. Moller – Maersk (2.2%), EVERGREEN LINE (1.0%), Ocean Network Express (1.5%), CMA CGM (2.0%), and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (2.3%).
HMM recorded a 3.7% increase due to higher traffic to Europe and Latin America.