About The Industry


Trade Routes

Trade between an origin group of countries and a destination group of countries is referred to as a trade route. The top twenty trade routes account for over 60 percent of the global container trade volume.

Top 20 Containerized Trade Routes, 2009
ORIGIN DESTINATION TEUS (Millions) % Share
Greater China United States 7.1 7.8%
Greater China European Union 5.8 6.5%
Other Asia Other Asia 5.2 4.0%
Greater China Other Asia 4.6 4.0%
Other Asia European Union 3.6 3.8%
United States Greater China 3.2 3.2%
European Union Middle East & Africa 3.2 2.9%
European Union Other Asia 3.0 2.8%
European Union Greater China 2.9 2.7%
Greater China Middle East & Africa 2.7 2.6%
Other Asia Greater China 2.7 2.4%
Greater China Greater China 2.6 2.4%
Other Asia United States 2.3 2.2%
Latinamerica & Caribbean  United States 2.2 2.2%
Greater China Japan 2.1 2.2%
Other Asia Middle East & Africa 1.9 2.1%
Greater China Other Europe 1.8 2.0%
European Union United States 1.8 2.0%
Middle East & Africa European Union 1.7 1.9%
United States Other Asia 1.7 1.9%
Rest of World Rest of World 41.8 38.4%
  TOTAL 103.8 100.0%

Note: TEUs are fully loaded.
Source: IHS Global Insight, World Trade Service

There are approximately 400 liner shipping services providing regularly scheduled service (usually weekly) that enable goods to move between ports along the many trade routes of the world.

Route Services
West Coast of North America – Asia 68
East Coast of North America – Asia 22
North America - Northern Europe 17
North America – Mediterranean 20
Asia - North Europe 35
Asia – Mediterranean 40
North America - East Coast of South America 8
North America - West Coast of South America 16
North America - North Coast of South America 26
Europe - East Coast of South America 10
Europe - West Coast of South America 8
Europe - North Coast of South America 10
Asia - East Coast of South America 8
Asia - West Coast of South America 13
South Africa – Europe 5
South Africa - North America 2
South Africa – Asia 19
West Africa – Europe 37
West Africa - North America 3
West Africa – Asia 18
Total 385

Notes: Services may be counted on more than one route. "Asia" includes Australia and New Zealand.
Source: ComPair Data World Liner Supply Report Summary, October 1, 2010; Drewry, Container Forecast Q3 2010; Drewry, Container Forecast Q4 2010.