1.6 million TEU evaporated!4% of global throughput has been wiped out!The Middle East crisis is
- Author:Maintenance network
- Source:Maintenance network
- Release Date:2026-06-12
The latest data released by Container Trades Statistics (CTS), a British container trade statistics agency, shows that due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the global container shipping market will decrease by approximately 1.6 million TEU in the first four months of 2026.
01The volume of goods in the Middle East market has dropped significantly
CTS data shows that the Middle East has become one of the regions most affected by the global container shipping market this year.Specifically: ▶ Import cargo volume fell by 54% year-on-year ▶ Export cargo volume fell by 48% year-on-year. The agency believes that continued regional tensions have a direct impact on port operations, cargo flow and route arrangements, causing some cargo sources to be delayed or transferred to other regional markets.CTS said that this round of market changes reflects that the global supply chain is still highly dependent on some key ports and strategic channels, and regional risk events may be quickly transmitted to the global logistics network.
02The global market still maintains growth
Despite the pressure on the Middle East market, global container shipping demand overall continues to grow.CTS data shows: ▶ Global container shipping volume reached 16.24 million TEU in April 2026 ▶ A year-on-year increase of 4.3% ▶ A cumulative increase of 5.1% in the first four months. In order to alleviate the impact of market fluctuations, many liner companies continue to adjust route networks and capacity deployment.Data shows that the global shipping volume gap narrowed by approximately 180,000 TEU in April compared with March.During the adjustment of cargo flow, Jeddah Port and King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia have become important diversion nodes, with the throughput of the two ports increasing by approximately 50% year-on-year.
North American and Asian markets are active
At the same time, the volume of goods in the North American market has rebounded significantly.CTS data shows: ▶ In April, North American market volume increased by 9.6% month-on-month ▶ A year-on-year increase of 11.3% ▶ China’s exports to the United States increased by 21% year-on-year. Asia continues to maintain its position as the engine of global trade growth.In the first four months of this year: ▶ Asian exports increased by 9.2% year-on-year ▶ Cargo volume on the Asia-Europe route increased by 14.3% ▶ Cargo volume on the Asia-South Africa route increased by 16.6% ▶ Central and South American markets maintained a rapid growth trend CTS believes that the growth in demand in emerging markets and the recovery of Asia-Europe trade are providing new growth momentum for the global container transportation market.
03The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has attracted attention
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on June 11, 2026, the Iranian Armed Forces stated that day that it would close the Strait of Hormuz and impose navigation restrictions on all ships from now on.The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is one of the most important energy transportation channels in the world and an important strategic waterway for international shipping.The market is generally concerned that if the regional situation further escalates, it may have new impacts on energy transportation, route layout and the stability of the global supply chain in the Middle East.
Market observation shows that global trade demand is still growing overall in terms of technology iteration, platform construction, and human CTS data, but geopolitical factors are becoming an important variable affecting the operation of the shipping market.For cargo owners, freight forwarders and supply chain companies, while paying attention to changes in market demand, they also need to continue to pay attention to the stability of key shipping channels and regional logistics networks to enhance supply chain risk management capabilities.We have steadily made breakthroughs in talent cultivation and other aspects, not only facing R&D difficulties to make up for shortcomings, but also relying on cutting-edge technology to empower business upgrades. The progress of scientific and technological work throughout the year is summarized as follows.
01The volume of goods in the Middle East market has dropped significantly
CTS data shows that the Middle East has become one of the regions most affected by the global container shipping market this year.Specifically: ▶ Import cargo volume fell by 54% year-on-year ▶ Export cargo volume fell by 48% year-on-year. The agency believes that continued regional tensions have a direct impact on port operations, cargo flow and route arrangements, causing some cargo sources to be delayed or transferred to other regional markets.CTS said that this round of market changes reflects that the global supply chain is still highly dependent on some key ports and strategic channels, and regional risk events may be quickly transmitted to the global logistics network.
02The global market still maintains growth
Despite the pressure on the Middle East market, global container shipping demand overall continues to grow.CTS data shows: ▶ Global container shipping volume reached 16.24 million TEU in April 2026 ▶ A year-on-year increase of 4.3% ▶ A cumulative increase of 5.1% in the first four months. In order to alleviate the impact of market fluctuations, many liner companies continue to adjust route networks and capacity deployment.Data shows that the global shipping volume gap narrowed by approximately 180,000 TEU in April compared with March.During the adjustment of cargo flow, Jeddah Port and King Abdullah Port in Saudi Arabia have become important diversion nodes, with the throughput of the two ports increasing by approximately 50% year-on-year.
North American and Asian markets are active
At the same time, the volume of goods in the North American market has rebounded significantly.CTS data shows: ▶ In April, North American market volume increased by 9.6% month-on-month ▶ A year-on-year increase of 11.3% ▶ China’s exports to the United States increased by 21% year-on-year. Asia continues to maintain its position as the engine of global trade growth.In the first four months of this year: ▶ Asian exports increased by 9.2% year-on-year ▶ Cargo volume on the Asia-Europe route increased by 14.3% ▶ Cargo volume on the Asia-South Africa route increased by 16.6% ▶ Central and South American markets maintained a rapid growth trend CTS believes that the growth in demand in emerging markets and the recovery of Asia-Europe trade are providing new growth momentum for the global container transportation market.
03The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has attracted attention
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency on June 11, 2026, the Iranian Armed Forces stated that day that it would close the Strait of Hormuz and impose navigation restrictions on all ships from now on.The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is one of the most important energy transportation channels in the world and an important strategic waterway for international shipping.The market is generally concerned that if the regional situation further escalates, it may have new impacts on energy transportation, route layout and the stability of the global supply chain in the Middle East.
Market observation shows that global trade demand is still growing overall in terms of technology iteration, platform construction, and human CTS data, but geopolitical factors are becoming an important variable affecting the operation of the shipping market.For cargo owners, freight forwarders and supply chain companies, while paying attention to changes in market demand, they also need to continue to pay attention to the stability of key shipping channels and regional logistics networks to enhance supply chain risk management capabilities.We have steadily made breakthroughs in talent cultivation and other aspects, not only facing R&D difficulties to make up for shortcomings, but also relying on cutting-edge technology to empower business upgrades. The progress of scientific and technological work throughout the year is summarized as follows.