News
Asia’s container exports to Europe shrank 8.8% to 1.09 million TEUs in February, incurring their first year-on-year contraction in five months, according to statistics compiled by the Japan Maritime Center (JMC) from data provided by the U.K.’s Container Trades Statistics (CTS). In the first two months (January-February), they totaled 2.84 million TEUs, up 7.2%.
By origin, exports from China and Hong Kong suffered a double-digit decrease of 10.7% to 785,571 TEUs, exercising downward pressure on the entire trade. Those from other parts of North Asia waned 9.9% to 129,135 TEUs. In contrast, containers from Southeast Asia picked up 2% to 176,207 TEUs.
By destination, 636,795 TEUs were destined to North Europe, down 16.3%; 223,141 TEUs to the Western Mediterranean, up 3.1%; and 230,978 TEUs to the Eastern Mediterranean, up 5.4%.
Meanwhile, Asia’s container imports from Europe plunged 10.6% to 483,252 TEUs in February, a year-on-year contraction for the sixth month in a row.
By origin, 346,955 TEUs were from North Europe, down 8.2%; 77,231 TEUs from the Western Mediterranean, up 16.9%; and 59,066 TEUs from the Eastern Mediterranean, down 15.5%.
Imports from Europe decreased across the board, falling 13% to 224,084 TEUs to China, 14.5% go 105,366 TEUs to Northeast Asia and 4% to 153,802 TEUs to Southeast Asia.
