According to statistical reports compiled by the Japan Maritime Centre (JMC) based on raw data from the UK-based Container Trade Statistics (CTS), container exports from Asia to Europe reached 10.77 million TEU in the first half of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 12.6%, setting a new high for the January–June period.

By origin, China remained the core driver of Asia's exports to Europe. In the first half of the year, China's container exports to Europe totalled 8.53 million TEU, up 14.6% year on year, outpacing the overall Asian average. Southeast Asia shipped 1.38 million TEU to Europe, while other Northeast Asian economies exported 858,200 TEU, down slightly by 3.7% year on year.

By destination, all major Asia-to-Europe routes posted steady growth in the first half. Asia–North Europe container exports reached 6.54 million TEU, up 12.1%; Asia–West Mediterranean exports stood at 2.05 million TEU, up 14%; and Asia–East Mediterranean exports were 2.18 million TEU, up 12.6%, reflecting a broad-based recovery across the three main trade lanes.

On the import side, the market also registered positive growth. In the first half of 2026, Asia's total container imports from Europe amounted to 3.02 million TEU, up slightly by 1.2% year on year, indicating rising two-way trade activity between Asia and Europe.

Among European source regions for exports to Asia, Northern Europe ranked first in shipment volume. In the first half, Northern Europe exported 2.00 million TEU to Asia, down 1% year on year; the West Mediterranean exported 496,900 TEU, up 1.3%; and the East Mediterranean posted a standout performance with 516,200 TEU, surging 10.8% year on year.

In terms of destination distribution within Asia for European container imports, core Asian regions absorbed the bulk of the volume in the first half. China received 1.47 million TEU, up 2.1% year on year; Southeast Asia received 921,100 TEU, up 5.2%; and other Northeast Asian economies received 633,400 TEU, down 5.8%.

Notably, in June alone, Asia's container exports to Europe surged 16.8% year on year to 1.90 million TEU, marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth and hitting a record high for the month of June.

In June, all major Asia–Europe routes saw broad-based increases, though growth rates varied. Exports to North Europe reached 1.14 million TEU, up 14.8%; to the West Mediterranean, 369,300 TEU, up 21.3% – the fastest among all routes; and to the East Mediterranean, 381,200 TEU, up 18.9%.

Import data for the single month also improved. In June 2026, Asia's total container imports from Europe reached 520,400 TEU, up 8.3% year on year, marking the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year import recovery and further reinforcing the two-way recovery momentum in Asia–Europe container trade.