OCEAN moved 14.4 million TEU in May worldwide, a 1.3 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the UK's Container Trade Statistics (CTS).

This reflected strong growth in imports and exports to and from Europe and exports from North America, which was offset by a decline in Asian volumes, said CTS London area Woking.

April to May, global volumes increased 4.3 per cent Exports from Europe rose 3.1 per cent to 2.5 million TEU, while imports were up 2.6 per cent to 2.8 million TEU.

But Far East exports fell one per cent to 8.4 million TEU in May, while import slipped 0.2 per cent to 5.7 million TEU year on year.

North American exports rose one per cent to 1.4 million TEU, and with imports unchanged at 2.4 million TEU.

Year-to-date in the first five months of 2018, volumes increased four per cent to 68.6 million TEU year on year.