Container volume from Asia to Europe hits a new high

The volume of seaborne container transportation from Asia to Europe from January to March, as summarized by the Japan Maritime Center (located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), increased by 8.7% year-on-year to 4,471,476 TEUs (converted to 20-foot containers). Driven by the increase in the number of goods shipped from China, the volume of transportation from January to March hit a record high.

The volume shipped to Greater China (mainland China and Hong Kong combined), which accounts for nearly 80% of the transportation volume, increased significantly by 11.2%. The actual data of EU (EU) imports from China (cumulative data from January to February) compiled by the center showed that “electrical equipment, AV equipment, etc.” increased by 30.8% year-on-year, and “machinery” increased by 29.2%, and the transportation of major commodities was strong.

The volume shipped to Northeast Asia, including Japan, decreased by 4.1% year-on-year from January to March. Southeast Asia increased by 5.4%.

In terms of destination, containers shipped to Northern Europe, which has many major ports and accounts for 60% of the unloading volume, increased by 6.5%. Shipments to the Western Mediterranean grew by 13.2%, and to the Eastern Mediterranean grew by 11.4%.

Container freight rates from Asia to Europe fell during the same period. According to data from the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, freight rates from Shanghai to Europe fell by 56% from the end of December 2024 to the end of March 2025. The reason is that as large new ships were put into European routes, there was an oversupply of container transportation.

The impact of the China-US tariff war may also affect the transportation volume and freight rates to Europe. There is also a view that “Chinese companies are striving to expand sales in Europe to make up for the slowdown in sales in the United States, but the impact on the European economy is worrying, and it is unclear whether consumer willingness can continue” (Japan Maritime Center).

The transportation volume from Europe to Asia fell by 6.0% year-on-year from January to March to 1.5 million 1,234. The monthly transportation volume has been lower than the same month of the previous year for seven consecutive months until March. China’s real estate demand has declined, and the transportation of wood and other products has been sluggish.