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Posted by Dale Crisp
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10 Nov, 2026
SEPTEMBER saw Australasia and Oceania container trades hit a year-long high for imports – but a year-long low for exports.
Container Trade Statistics data for the ninth month of 2026 showed imports rose to 452,042 TEU, up from 425,023 TEU in August and well ahead of September 2025’s 420,760 TEU, which was the high point for that year.
To date, February 2026 has been the 12-month low-water mark for imports, at 364,945 TEU.
In contrast to imports, September 2026 exports from Australasia and Oceania slumped to 257,640 TEU, just slightly ahead of September 2025’s 256,245 TEU. The export nadir was, predictably, January 2026 at 209,739 TEU.
Across individual trade routes, Far East>Australasia & Oceania (A&O) saw September volumes up 10.3% over August while rates rose 8.3%. In the reverse direction, exports dropped 4.6% while rates were stable. NB, CTS treats North & East Asia and South East Asia as a single zone/route.
Europe>A&O fell 8.3% with no rate movement; A&O>Europe was down 9.1% but rates actually rose 2.7%.
North America>A&O was down a significant 10.6%, with rates static while A&O>North America was down 6.7% in September and rates were unchanged.
A&O>Indian subcontinent & Middle East fell 6.9% but rates were stable. ISC&ME>A&O was up 4.5% while rates didn’t move. A&O>sub-Saharan Africa volume was up 22.4% and rates rose 2.8%. In the reverse direction, volumes grew 9% with rates also up 2.8%.
A&O>South & Central America slid 9.2% and rates were unmoved. Going the other way, volumes fell by 8% but rates jumped up by 9.6%.
Finally, Australasia & Oceania trade rose 6.2%, with rates up 1%.
The London-based CTS always cautions that data may change on receipt of updated information.
