Drewry’s latest Global Container Port Throughput Index reveals a slowdown in global port handling for September 2025, although year-to-date (YTD) performance continues to significantly surpass full-year growth projections.
The Drewry’s Global Container Port Throughput Index registered a 1.4% decrease month-on-month (MoM) in September 2025. Despite the monthly dip, the Index was up 4.0% year-on-year (YoY). The rolling 12-month average growth rate for global port handling fell slightly to 5.9%.
Crucially, the overall YTD growth rate of 6.4% remains well ahead of the anticipated full-year growth forecast, which was recently raised to 4.8% in October 2025, underscoring the robust activity seen earlier in the year.
Growth remains heavily concentrated in the Middle East and South Asia region, which continues to outperform global averages. The region reported a 4.7% increase MoM in September and maintains an impressive 8.4% YTD growth rate, cementing its position as the primary engine for global throughput expansion.
The slowdown in North America is now markedly visible. The North American Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.9% MoM in September to 115.5 points, resulting in a 1.0% decline YoY. YTD growth now stands at only 4.1%.
Peak Season Ends Early: Volumes across major US ports reduced, suggesting the peak season concluded earlier than usual. Significant MoM dips were recorded at key gateways, including Long Beach (down 11.6%), Los Angeles (down 7.9%), Savannah (down 9%), and Houston (down 8.8%).
Greater China: The Greater China Container Port Throughput Index fell 3.1% MoM in September, though it was up 3.5% YoY. The 12-month average growth rate fell to 5.4%. Ports in the Pearl River Delta were heavily impacted by Super Typhoon Ragasa, with Shenzhen volumes falling 17.9% MoM and Guangzhou volumes dropping 17% MoM. Hong Kong continued its long-term weakening trend, falling 12.2% MoM and 16.3% YoY.
In contrast to the major slowdowns, the European Container Port Throughput Index rose 2.1% MoM in September, achieving a strong 6.0% YoY rise to 113.6 points. The rolling 12-month average growth rate held steady at 6.6%, remaining significantly above the global average. While some North West European ports, such as Antwerp (down 2.5% YoY) and Bremerhaven (down 0.7% MoM), showed weakness, Rotterdam reported strong growth, rising 3.3% MoM and 5.9% YoY.
