June 11th, 2026 – Global container volumes continued to demonstrate resilience in April, posting solid year-over-year growth during the first full month following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Container Trade Statistics (CTS), global container traffic reached 16.2 million TEUs in April, reflecting a 4% increase compared with April 2025 and a 1.6% rise from March. Despite ongoing conflict involving Iran and the resulting disruptions extending from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean, container flows remained strong. CTS data, sourced directly from many of the world’s largest shipping lines, shows year-to-date volumes running 5% ahead of last year’s levels.
The performance highlights the adaptability of global supply chains, as cargo continues to shift through alternative routes when traditional trade corridors face disruptions. This ability to reroute freight has helped sustain overall trade activity despite mounting geopolitical challenges.
Market pressures were evident in freight pricing. The CTS Global Price Index climbed sharply to 89 points in April from 79 points in March, representing a gain of more than 12%. The increase was largely driven by the Hormuz crisis and marked the strongest monthly rise since June 2024, when widespread vessel diversions away from the Red Sea significantly reduced available shipping capacity.
Import volumes increased across most regions, with North America and the Indian Subcontinent/Middle East standing out as exceptions. Imports into North America declined, while the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East recorded decreases of 2% and 4%, respectively. North America’s weaker performance was attributed to lower cargo volumes originating from Europe, the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East, and South and Central America.
On the trans-Pacific trade lane, freight rates have surged in recent weeks as carriers carefully manage capacity through blank sailings while introducing a wave of surcharges and rate restoration initiatives. Industry observers note that some importers have accelerated shipments to get ahead of potential disruptions and peak-season demand, a strategy commonly referred to as frontloading.
Export performance mirrored import trends. The Indian Subcontinent/Middle East and North America were the only regions to post declines, with export volumes falling 15% and 3%, respectively. European exports remained under pressure, though year-to-date declines improved to 2% compared with a 3% decrease reported in March. While export activity from Europe has gradually strengthened throughout the first months of 2026, gains have been constrained by a significant reduction in cargo moving into the India/Middle East market.
Even with localized weakness, global trade activity remains broadly healthy. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to rank among the strongest-performing regions worldwide, with year-to-date exports increasing 10% and imports rising 15%. The region has benefited from expanding trade opportunities, emerging markets, and the growing use of alternative shipping routes.
Looking ahead, one of the industry’s key questions is whether elevated transportation costs will eventually begin to weigh on cargo demand. For now, container volumes continue to hold up despite higher freight rates and persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
