Taiwan's three largest container lines reported weaker first-quarter revenues as freight rates fell year over year, reported London's S&P Global.

Evergreen Marine, the biggest of the trio, posted a 21 per cent drop in revenue to US$2.7 billion between January and March compared with $3.5 billion a year earlier. The decline reflected the absence of the mini-peak in freight rates seen in early 2025.

Rates on Asia-US and Asia-Europe trades, key markets for Evergreen, saw double-digit declines in January and February before recovering in March, according to Shanghai Shipping Exchange data. Evergreen's monthly revenue fell to $872 million in March from $1 billion in January, though the year-over-year decline eased from 25 per cent in January to 18 per cent in March.

Yang Ming Marine Transport reported a 15 per cent fall in first-quarter revenue to $1.2 billion. The carrier said average revenue per TEU dropped to about $900 from more than $1,300 a year earlier. The pace of decline eased from 22 per cent in January to 6 per cent in March.

Wan Hai Lines, focused on intra-Asia trades, saw revenue slip 9 per cent to $1 billion. The carrier said intra-Asia rates held steady at about $500 per TEU, but US services fell sharply from about $1,800 per TEU last year to $1,200 this year. Rates on South America services also eased to about $1,000 per TEU from $1,300.