Inter-Asia trade grew by 50 million TEU in 2025, but global liner trade faces operational challenges and high costs, reports Freight News.
Inter-Asia trade grew by about 50 million TEU in 2025, but operational challenges and costs have pushed the global liner trade into a 'high pressure' zone, reports Johannesburg's Freight News. The CN meta Index scored 586, reflecting strain across major trade lanes.
Container News stated that elevated freight rates on East-West routes and geopolitical risks were driving the pressure. Rates on the Far East-North Europe corridor remain high, confirming that Asia-Europe trade has not eased materially.
Despite volatility, the liner industry grew by 193 million TEU in 2025, up from 184 million TEU in 2024, marking a 4.7 percent increase in demand, according to Container Trades Statistics chief executive Nigel Pusey. Freight rates fell by 18 percent, though Mr. Pusey noted that shipping often defies normal demand-supply economics.
Inter-Asia shipping showed the strongest regional growth, recording about 50 million TEU, or roughly 26 percent of demand growth. Cargo between Asia and sub-Saharan Africa also proved resilient, rising about 27 percent.
While rates on Asia-US routes held firm, TEU data showed demand fell by about 1.7 million TEU at the end of 2025. Mr. Pusey described this as 'a ma
