Container Trade Statistics show slowing global 4.3pc growth in May

CONTAINER Trade Statistics (CTS) data show global volume increased one per cent in May year on year compared with a 4.3 per cent increase in April.

The Eurozone debt crisis depressed consumer European consumer demand, resulting in a container volume slide of 7.4 per cent in May year on year. European exports, which started the year well, weakened to a near flat 0.9 per cent uptick in May year on year.

Nor did Asia look good as imports fell 4.5 per cent in May and exports grew 2.4 per cent in May year on year. North American - Canada, the US and Mexico - increased 7.4 per cent in May container volume, but exports fell 7.6 per cent.