# Global container shipping market trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-container-shipping-market-trends > Updated: 2026-08-22T16:00:31.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Global container shipping has experienced a period of diverging trends between volume growth and profitability. A Fedespedi report indicated that while world container movements rose by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2026, shipping companies faced declining revenues and squeezed profit margins due to excess capacity, falling freight rates, and Middle East tensions disrupting Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz routes. Regional data from 2026 shows varying performance. European container traffic increased by 3.8% in the first half of the year, bolstered by a 7.9% rise in imports from the Far East. In contrast, the United States saw a decline in container volumes, with the Northwest Seaport Alliance reporting a 4.2% drop in July 2026 and an 11.3% decrease year-to-date. Despite these container volume struggles in the US, breakbulk tonnage rose by 19.2% due to industrial demand, and investments in terminal capacity expansions have been announced. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Global container shipping shows divergent trends in Europe and North America Global shipping data shows mixed results: European container traffic rose 3.8% in early 2026, while the Northwest Seaport Alliance reported an 11.3% year-to-date decline in container volumes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-container-shipping-shows-divergent-trends-in-europe-and-north-america ### 2026-07-30: Fedespedi report shows global container traffic up 4.4% while shipping profits fall Fedespedi’s 2026 Q1 report shows global container traffic rose 4.4% while shipping revenues fell 2‑27% amid excess capacity, lower freight rates and Middle‑East tensions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fedespedi-report-shows-global-container-traffic-up-44-while-shipping-profits-fall --- Cite as: Global container shipping market trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-container-shipping-market-trends