Topic
containers
Logistics Record 2 Million Cars Tipped to Move in Containers as China Outgrows Car Carrier Fleet
A record two million cars are expected to be shipped in containers and other non-dedicated vessels in 2026 as China's vehicle exports outpace the growth of the pure car carrier fleet. Veson Nautical reports the shift from temporary fix to structural feature, with China projected to export 10 million light vehicles this year. The first five months of 2026 saw 4.06 million vehicles exported, up 63% year-on-year.
Logistics Chinese liner Sea Legend Shipping launches first weekly Arctic boxship service
Sea Legend Shipping is launching the first regular weekly container service on the Northern Sea Route, scheduling eight sailings between China and northern Europe from August to October 2026. The China-Europe Arctic Express will use seven small to mid-sized ships, targeting high-value time-sensitive cargoes with transit times of 20-22 days, significantly faster than Suez or Cape routes.
Logistics 2M+ Import Containers to Set New Record in July as Retailers Front-Load Ahead of Tariff Hikes
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts U.S. container imports will hit a new all-time record of 2.47 million TEU in July 2026, surpassing the previous record of 2.4 million TEU set in May 2022. The surge is driven by retailers front-loading inventory ahead of potential tariff increases in August and ongoing trade uncertainties. May volumes already reached 2.24 million TEU, up 14.9% year-over-year.
Logistics Containers Lost at Sea Nearly Tripled in 2025, World Shipping Council Reports
An estimated 1,478 containers were lost at sea in 2025, nearly triple the prior year, according to the World Shipping Council. The May 2025 sinking of the MSC Elsa off India accounted for 43% of losses. Despite the rise, the loss rate remains extremely low at 0.0005% of all transported boxes.
Logistics Empty Container Shipments Surge to One in Three Globally
The share of empty containers in global shipping has risen to one in three, up from one in four pre-pandemic, driven by trade imbalances. This trend is impacting freight rates, particularly on high-volume lanes.