Containers are down by 16% this week; air cargo is down by 28%
Colleagues and interested parties
Warm greetings – and all the best for 2026! We are sharing the latest version of the cargo report for distribution.
This is the first report of the year.
Some highlights discussed this week include the following:
1. Consolidated port throughput for 2025 Calendar Year:
a. Container throughput in 2025 totalled 4,473 million TEUs, which is up by +3,2% (y/y) on 2024.
b. Total bulk cargo in 2025 totalled 221 million tonnes, which is up by +4,4% (y/y) on 2024.
c. Vehicle throughput in 2025 totalled 899 094 units, which is up by +15% (y/y) on 2024.
d. Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 transitioned to Durban Gateway Terminal under ICTSI; however, the changed data-sharing approach under the new venture is a cause for concern.
2. Air freight: ORTIA for 2025 Calendar Year:
a. Despite the slowdown towards the end of the year, total air freight to and from ORTIA in 2025 totalled 350 million kilograms, which is up by +0,7% (y/y) on 2024total year-to-date air freight.
3. Global trade & industry summary:
a. Global output is projected to grow at around 2,6–2,7% in 2026, marginally below 2025 and below the pre-pandemic trend, with investment remaining subdued across most regions
b. Global spot rates rose by +17,2% (or $375) to $2 557/40ft between end-2025 and early-2026.
