March uptick for local container volumes

IMPORT and export volumes for Australasia and Oceania both rose in March, according to the latest figures from London-based Container Trade Statistics.

March imports reached their highest level this year at 363,541 TEU, well up on February’s 291,816 and slightly in advance of January’s 360,801. Nevertheless, March was still lower than every month since May 2024, CTS reports.

Exports also soared in March, to 272,866 TEU, which was the highest level since June last year when 275,989 TEU were shipped. January 2025 was a low point for exports at 207,199 TEU but they recovered in February to 247,936.

On a trade-by-trade basis in March 2025:

To Australasia & Oceania from -

• Far East (noting that CTS treats N&EA and SEA as one area): growth of 31.8%, rate index steady at 75
• Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East: growth of 5.5%, rate index up 8.1% to 102
• Intra Australasia & Oceania: growth of 7.7%, rate index up 0.9% to 119
• North America: volume drop of 3%%, rate index up 4.2% to 77
• Europe: growth of 24%, rate index up 1.4% to 63
• Sub Saharan Africa: volume drop of 0.1%%, rate index steady at 85
• South & Central America: growth of 14%, rate index steady at 115.

From Australasia & Oceania to -

• Far East (noting that CTS treats N&EA and SEA as one area): growth of 8.9%, rate index steady at 72
• Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East: growth of 5.6%, rate index up 2.9% to 103
• Intra Australasia & Oceania: growth of 7.7%, rate index up 0.9% to 119
• North America: growth of 18.3%, rate index steady at 120
• Europe: growth of 11.5%, rate index steady at 130
• Sub Saharan Africa: growth of 57.8%, rate index steady at 92
• South & Central America: growth of 6.8%, rate index steady at 88.

Globally, CTS measured combined volume for March 2025 as 16,194,395 TEU, substantially up from February’s 13,262,399 TEU, but the price index continued its year-long fall, from 94 in January to 84 in February and 80 in March.

As always, CTS figures are preliminary and may be updated on receipt of further data.