Asia/pacific Container Market

By: Pablo Cuevas There is no doubt that if you are involved in international logistics, particularly in the Asia/Pacific (APAC) market, and from Mexico, you will realize that it is the largest, most dynamic, and, above all, the most challenging container market in the world.

Mainly driven by China, as the largest global exporter, there are also other key countries within this dynamism such as India, South Korea, and Japan. On this side of the world, are the United States (USA), as the main destination of this market, and Latin America, as an important strategic trading partner, where Mexico actively participates.

If you are an importer/exporter, and you participate in this market, it is important to note that there are some factors that determine the behavior of the market in terms of rates, costs and service:

Supply and Demand

The availability of equipment, the offering of new routes or reduction of existing ones, and the consolidation of services, through purchases or mergers between shipping companies.

Container Production

More than 90% of the world’s container production takes place in China and there is a reduction in new manufacturing orders since 2023 due to lower demand and excess of existing containers.

Geopolitical and Commercial Tensions

China–USA, conflict in the South China Sea, USA tariff policies with the rest of the world. Conflict in the Middle East, among others.

Important Statistical Data

You should consider some statistical data in your container movement projections, which may be important:

- In January 2024, the **China–Mexico container flow (TEU)** jumped 60%, from 73,000 to 117,000 TEU, consolidating itself as one of the fastest growing routes globally.

- Between January and April 2024, Mexican ports (Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira) moved **2.95 million TEU**, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year.

- March 2025: the **tariff war weakened demand**, bringing rates down to 1,668 dollars/FEU, -30% monthly —the lowest level since January 2024.

- In April 2025, seven Asian shipping companies —including Sinotrans, MSC, TS Lines and others— launched a weekly service with **a capacity of approximately 15,000 TEU**, connecting Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan and Manzanillo with transit times between 21 and 25 days.

- Expansion of the port of Manzanillo underway, to **reach a capacity of 10 million TEU by 2030**. In 2024 it already moved close to 4 million TEU.

Implications and Recommendations for Container Operation

Finally, we share some implications and recommendations for your container operation in Asia/Pacific:

- **High rates and volatility:** Importers face costs that ranged between 1,600 and 7,600/FEU in the last year, depending on demand, capacity and events (*blank sailings*, tariffs). Advance planning is key.

- **Sustained growth of Asia-Mexico flow:** driven by US tariff bans and industrial nearshoring.

- **Robust but saturated infrastructure:** ports such as Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas are expanding capacity, but episodes of congestion continue to generate delays.

- **Most important shipping companies with services to Mexico:** Maersk, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE.

- **Strategic ports in the East:** Shanghai, Singapore, Busan and Hong Kong.

Actively participating in the international logistics of the Asia/Pacific container market will bring important challenges in the future for companies in Mexico. Having a strategic ally that can support in the best decisions for your company, can offer you competitive advantages in time and costs.