July 2026 Press Release

July 2026: Record Volumes Defy Mounting Market Challenges

Global Volumes Reach a New Record

Despite the ongoing challenges facing the container shipping market, including the additional constraint of low water levels in the Panama Canal, global volumes remain remarkably resilient. Following revised figures, July 2026 now stands as the highest monthly lifting on record in the CTS database, reaching 17.3 million TEUs, approximately 25k TEUs above the previous record set in May 2026.

July was not only a standout month in isolation. Year-to-date, global volumes are now 5.1% higher than the same period in 2025, while July 2026 itself was 4.5% higher year on year. With volumes continuing to reach unprecedented levels despite considerable market disruption, the underlying strength of global container trade remains clear.

Global Price Index Continues Its Climb

The Global Price Index reached 115 points in July 2026, increasing by a further 7 points month on month. Since the beginning of the year, the index has risen by approximately 47%, while compared with July 2025 it is now 37% higher.

The index has been on a significant upward trajectory since February 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the Gulf Crisis. The last time the Global Price Index reached levels this high was August 2024, highlighting the extent to which current market disruption is placing pressure on freight rates, even as volumes continue to perform strongly.

Global Imports: Sub-Saharan Africa Continues to Lead Growth

Looking at regional imports for the first seven months of the year, all regions recorded year-to-date growth except the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East, which experienced a 4.2% decline.

In percentage terms, Sub-Saharan Africa once again delivered the strongest performance, with imports up 14% year to date. A significant proportion of this growth has come from the Far East, with almost 700k additional TEUs moving on this trade compared with the same period in 2025. Interestingly, cargo originating in North America and destined for Sub-Saharan Africa has also increased by nearly 15% year to date, further demonstrating the Africa’s expanding role within global container trade.

Another recurring theme throughout 2026 has been Europe's continued import growth, up 6.1% year to date. Far East cargo has played a significant role, adding approximately 1.5M TEUs compared with the same period last year.

Several factors could be contributing to the continued strength of the Far East–Europe trade, including growing European demand for Chinese-manufactured vehicles. With capacity and cost pressures affecting traditional car-carrier services, the use of containers for some vehicle shipments could be contributing to additional volumes moving into Europe.

Global Exports: Far East Growth Remains a Driving Force

Regional exports tell a similar story. The Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East recorded the largest year-to-date decline, down 8.5%, while Europe also experienced a modest 0.7% decrease.

Europe's weaker export performance reflects limited growth across most destination regions. Sub-Saharan Africa was a notable exception, while exports from Europe to the Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East recorded the largest pullback, falling by more than 10% year to date.

This has contributed to the continued imbalance between Europe's strong import performance and comparatively subdued exports.

The Far East, meanwhile, recorded the strongest export growth, increasing by almost 9% year to date, equivalent to nearly 6M additional TEUs. Every destination region recorded growth in cargo originating from the Far East, with Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa playing particularly important roles. This sits alongside continued strength in the world's largest container trade, Intra-Far East, further reinforcing the region's position at the centre of global container flows.

Heading Further into H2 2026

July has delivered another milestone for the container shipping market, with record-breaking global volumes alongside a Global Price Index at levels not seen for almost two years. What remains particularly striking is the resilience of global trade despite the growing number of challenges facing the industry.

The ongoing Gulf Crisis and associated pressures on oil prices, evolving tariff conditions and constraints surrounding the Panama Canal are all adding complexity and capacity pressures across major trade routes. Yet, so far, global volumes have continued to adapt rather than retreat.

As we move further into H2 2026, it will be vital to monitor whether this resilience can be sustained and how global trade patterns continue to reshape themselves around these additional hurdles.