How did container shipping stave off a major market crash in the first half of 2025?
Despite pressure across maritime segments, the ClarkSea Index—a cross-sector indicator tracking charter rates—only fell by 5% in H1 2025. Without the robust performance of container shipping, that drop would have been a staggering 31% year-on-year.
📦 Container Ships: Unexpected Heroes
Container trades surged in the first half of 2025:
- Charter rates jumped ~80% compared to the same period last year.
- Rates hovered 80% above the 10-year average, offsetting declines in most other sectors.
- Continued uncertainties such as tariffs, geopolitics and fleet expansion couldn’t prevent the container segment from maintaining strong momentum.
🚢 How Other Sectors Fared
- Tanker rates remained steady at about $29,700/day, still 23% above trend—though down from 2024 peaks.
- Dry bulk suffered, with rates dipping 31% year-on-year—driven by weak Chinese demand.
- LNG and LPG markets slumped due to oversupply and softening demand—LNG down 56%, LPG down.
- Car carriers saw day rates around $55,000—a 50% drop from 2024, but still 32% above the 10-year norm .
🌐 Why Container Shipping Defied the Trend
- Supply chain resilience: Ongoing global trade and rerouting challenges (e.g., Red Sea disruptions) sustained demand.
- Tariff defiance: Despite geopolitical tensions, volumes remained strong, highlighting strategic cargo priorities.
- Fleet dynamics: Container fleets adjusted more nimbly to market conditions than bulk or gas sectors.
Stephen Gordon, Global Head of Clarksons Research, summarised it best:
“Container ships prop up the ClarkSea Index as remaining sectors plunge 31% in first half.”
For shipowners, charterers, and investors: focus on container vessels—this segment is offsetting weak markets across bulk, gas, and tanker trades. Need data on future projections or fleet sizing? I can pull detailed reports.
