Container Handling Reaches Record High in 2025

Global container throughput reached a new peak in 2025. With a growth rate of 4.6%, total volume rose to 192.9 million TEU, the highest level ever recorded. This development confirms that global trade continues to expand despite current challenges and underscores the increasing need for stable and efficient logistics chains.

In nearly all regions, imports increased, with the exception of North America, where trade tariffs dampened demand. The strongest relative growth occurred in India and the Middle East, where exports rose by 9%. China recorded the largest absolute increase, with an additional 7 million TEU. The year 2025 saw exceptionally strong volumes almost every month: eleven out of twelve months exceeded 15.5 million TEU.

The record throughput highlights the dynamic nature of global supply chains and the growing reliance on reliable container logistics. For companies engaged in international import and export, it remains essential to closely monitor developments in key markets, especially as shifts in demand and production are occurring at an increasingly rapid pace.