Core Insights - Global container volumes reached a record high in August 2025, with 16.61 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), surpassing the previous record of 16.59 million TEUs in May 2025, despite a 0.5% decline in North American imports [1][2] - For the first eight months of 2025, global container volumes totaled 126.75 million TEUs, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, indicating a consistent high level of global volumes [2] - The CTS Global Price Index fell by 3 points in August to 81 points, continuing a decline since June, reflecting ongoing market adjustments despite strong volume performance [5] Regional Performance - North America experienced a 0.5% decline in imports year-to-date, contrasting with significant growth in other regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa (up 16.4%), the Indian sub-continent and Middle East (up 8.7%), and South and Central America (up 7.5%) [2][3] - All regions except North America posted export increases, with the Far East and Indian sub-continent and Middle East seeing the largest year-to-date export increases of 6.4% and 5.9%, respectively [4] - Europe recorded a modest export growth of 0.1% year-to-date, following a 6% month-on-month decline in August [4]