September 2026: Global Container Volumes Remain Strong as Price Index Climbs to New Heights
Q3 Closes on a Strong Note
Global container volumes continued to demonstrate resilience in September 2026, with monthly liftings reaching 17.35 million TEUs. Although this represented a 1.4% month-on-month decline, it is important to remember that August 2026 was the highest monthly lifting on record in the CTS database.
Despite this modest pullback, September volumes stood an impressive 8% above September 2025 levels, while year-to-date volumes remained 5% higher than the same period last year. In fact, since June 2026, year-to-date growth has consistently remained around 5%, highlighting the sustained strength of global container trade throughout the year.
Looking at the broader quarterly picture, Q3 2026 volumes reached 52.2 million TEUs, representing a 2.4% increase compared with Q2 2026. This further reinforces the resilience of global trade despite the considerable geopolitical and economic challenges facing the industry.
Freight Pricing Pressures Continue to Build
The Global Price Index reached 123 points in September 2026, increasing by 5.1% month on month from August.
Perhaps more significantly, the index now stands 62% higher than September 2025, highlighting the substantial change in freight pricing conditions over the past twelve months.
While global volumes have continued to perform strongly, the sustained increase in the Global Price Index reflects the mounting pressures affecting the container shipping market. Disruption to major shipping routes, capacity constraints and higher operating costs continue to influence pricing, demonstrating how freight rates can respond to market challenges even when underlying cargo volumes remain resilient
Regional Export Trends: Growth in Far East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Australasia
On the export side, several regions demonstrated year to date growth, with the Far East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Australasia all showing increases of 8.3%, 8.5%, and 7.9%, respectively. However, the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East saw the largest decline in exports, with a 6% drop month on month and a slight 0.8% dip compared to November 2023.
Global Imports: North America Strengthens as Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East Returns to Growth
Looking at regional imports during Q3 2026, every region recorded growth compared with Q3 2025.
Perhaps the most notable development was the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East, which recorded its first quarterly year on year increase in imports following the disruption experienced earlier in the year. Although the increase was relatively modest, at approximately 6,600 TEUs, it represents an improvement from Q2, when the region's imports declined by 12%.
North America also recorded a particularly strong quarter, with imports increasing by 9% compared with Q3 2025. This growth was primarily driven by increased cargo originating from the Far East and Europe. Notably, this represents a further improvement from the 7% year-on-year growth recorded in Q2 2026, suggesting that North American imports are continuing to regain momentum following the weaker performance seen earlier in the year.
Global Exports: Far East and Sub-Saharan Africa Lead Growth
Regional exports presented a slightly different picture during Q3 2026, with the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East and North America being the only regions to record declines, down 7% and 1% respectively compared with Q3 2025.
In percentage terms, the Far East and Sub-Saharan Africa emerged as the strongest-performing export regions, both recording 8% growth year on year.
Interestingly, these two regions have also been supporting each other's growth, with strong cargo flows between the Far East and Sub-Saharan Africa contributing to their respective performances.
Europe also recorded a positive quarter, with exports increasing by 3% compared with Q3 2025. This growth was supported by increased cargo flows to most destination regions.
However, despite this improvement, the imbalance between European imports and exports remains a recurring theme throughout 2026. Year to date, Europe is importing approximately 1.5 containers for every container exported, illustrating the widening disparity between inbound and outbound cargo flows.
Strong Volumes, But Will Market Pressures Begin to Take Their Toll?
September 2026 has delivered another strong performance for the global container shipping market. However, questions remain over how long this resilience can be sustained in the face of ongoing market disruption.
The continued Gulf Crisis, constraints surrounding the Panama Canal and increasing pressure on global shipping capacity are all contributing to a complex operating environment. Alongside these challenges, port congestion and high terminal utilisation can further restrict the industry's ability to clear backlogs and maintain efficient cargo movements.
The Global Price Index, now 62% higher than September 2025, provides a clear indication of how these wider market pressures are being reflected in freight pricing, even as global volumes continue to grow.
As we enter the final quarter of 2026, attention will turn towards whether September's month-on-month decline was simply a natural adjustment following August's exceptionally high volumes, or whether it could represent the early stages of a broader moderation in global container trade.
Meet CTS at Intermodal Europe & TOC Asia!
Will you be attending Intermodal Europe or TOC Asia, both taking place from Tuesday 10th November 2026? If so, make sure to come and say hello to the CTS team!
CTS will be participating in panel discussions at both events, sharing insights into the latest container shipping trends, shifting trade patterns and wider market developments.
To find out more about our speaking sessions and where to meet us, head over to our social media channels or visit the official event websites (TOC Asia & Intermodal Europe). We look forward to seeing you there!
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