September 10th, 2026 – Global container shipping volumes reached a new monthly record in July 2026, demonstrating continued strength in world trade despite operational constraints and disruptions related to the Iran war.
According to revised data from Container Trade Statistics (CTS), global container volumes totaled 17.3 million TEUs in July, surpassing the previous record set in May 2026 by approximately 25,000 TEUs. July volumes were 4.5% higher than the same month last year, while total container trade through the first seven months of 2026 increased 5.1% compared with 2025.
Freight Rates Rise Alongside Strong Volumes
Strong demand and ongoing market disruptions are also contributing to higher freight costs. The CTS Global Price Index climbed seven points in July to 115, representing a 47% increase since the beginning of 2026 and a 37% increase compared with July 2025.
The index began rising sharply in February as disruptions surrounding the Persian Gulf crisis intensified. July’s reading brought the index back to levels last seen in August 2024, illustrating the continued impact of geopolitical and operational pressures on container shipping costs.
Africa and Europe Drive Import Growth
Most major regions recorded import growth during the first seven months of the year. The exception was the Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East, where imports declined 4.2%.
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the strongest growth, with imports rising 14% year to date. Trade from Asia played a significant role, adding nearly 700,000 TEUs compared with the same period in 2025. North American exports to Sub-Saharan Africa also increased nearly 15%, further highlighting the region’s growing role in global container trade.
European imports increased 6.1%, supported heavily by shipments from the Far East, which contributed approximately 1.5 million additional TEUs. Growing European demand for Chinese-manufactured vehicles may be contributing to this increase, as some vehicle shipments move in containers due to capacity and cost pressures affecting traditional car-carrier services.
Asia Leads Global Export Growth
Export data continues to underscore Asia’s central role in global container trade. Asian exports increased nearly 9% year to date, representing almost 6 million additional TEUs compared with 2025. Growth was recorded across every destination region, with particularly strong volumes moving to Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Other regions experienced softer export activity. Exports from the Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East declined 8.5%, the largest decrease among major regions, while European exports fell 0.7%.
Europe’s export performance remained relatively weak across most destinations, including a decline of more than 10% in shipments to the Indian Sub-Continent and Middle East. The trend is creating a growing imbalance between Europe’s strong inbound container volumes and softer outbound trade.
Overall, July’s record volumes show that global container trade remains resilient despite geopolitical uncertainty and operational disruption. At the same time, rising freight rates and increasingly uneven regional trade flows continue to create challenges for shippers navigating the second half of 2026.
