ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports to European countries grew 8.62 percent in the 10 months of the current fiscal year from a year ago, mainly due to higher shipments to western and southern states.
In absolute terms, Pakistan’s exports to the European Union’ (EU) reached $7.553 billion in July- April FY25 from $6.954bn last year due to a slight increase in demand for textile and clothing products in western, eastern and northern Europe, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan.
In FY24, Pakistan’s exports to the EU decreased by 3.12pc to $8.24bn, despite holding the GSP+ status, which allows duty-free entry into most European countries.
Western Europe, comprising countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Belgium, accounts for the largest share of Pakistan’s exports to the EU.
Exports to this region increased by 10.04pc to $3.791bn in 10MFY25, up from $3.445bn a year ago.
There is also a slight increase in exports to eastern and northern Europe.
Exports to the north of Europe saw a rise of 17.39pc to $620.63m in 10MFY25, up from $528.66m in the corresponding months last year.
Exports to southern Europe grew 3.62pc to $2.552bn in 10MFY25 from $2.463bn in the corresponding period last year.
In this region, exports to Spain rose 2.75pc to $1.232bn from $1.199bn in 10MFY24.
Exports to Italy increased 1.62pc to $934.04m in 10MFY25 compared to $918.09m in the same period last year.
Exports to Greece increased 12.81pc to $123.05m against $109.07m in 10MFY24.
However, exports to eastern Europe grew 13.96pc to $590.02m from $517.74m in the corresponding period last year.
Quarter of all box tonnage now deployed on Asia-Europe tradelane
The Red Sea shipping crisis and the need to take the far longer route via the Cape of the Good Hope has seen the proportion of containerships globally deployed on the industry’s top tradelane jump from a fifth to a quarter of all tonnage, according to a new study from Alphaliner.
In just two years, carriers have added 2.26m teu of extra capacity on the Asia-Europe tradelane, bringing the total fleet on this route to 7.8m teu.
With 24.4% of the global fleet now trading there, it is by far the largest shipping lane for the liner fleet, according to Alphaliner data (see chart below).
Two years ago, the percentage stood at 20.8%.
When container carriers reroute from the Suez Canal to travel via the Cape of Good Hope, the Asia-Europe tradelane becomes approximately 3,500 to 4,500 nautical miles (6,500 to 8,300 km) longer, depending on the specific origin and destination ports.
This detour usually adds 10 to 14 days to transit times, depending on vessel speed.
Donald Trump, the American president, claimed last month that after more than 17 months, the Houthi-inspired Red Sea shipping crisis is coming to a close.
However, most liners questioned at recent quarterly results have insisted it is still too early for any resumption of Red Sea transits.
For instance, Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc said it would be “irresponsible to resume Red Sea transits based on an unclear ceasefire deal, warning the region remains too volatile for a safe return.
French shipping giant CMA CGM remains the only major global operator to have resumed services through the Suez Canal.
From mid-June, CMA CGM plans to reinstate Suez Canal transit for its Med Express (MEDEX) service, backed by French naval protection.
While the Asia-Europe tradelane continues to grow, it is not the fastest-growing.
Over the last 12 months, Latin America-related services have registered the steepest growth, whereby the fleet deployed in Latin American services is now exactly comparable in size to the capacity of all vessels serving the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.
US April imports breach 2.4 million TEU despite tariffs
US container imports posted robust growth in April 2025, with volumes increasing by 1.2 percent over March and 9.1 percent year-on-year, according to Descartes’ May Global Shipping Report.
Total imports surpassed 2.4 million TEU for the second time this year, reflecting continued strength in the face of ongoing trade and geopolitical challenges, reports London’s Port Technology International.
Descartes reports that the top west coast ports regained market share from the East and Gulf Coast ports in April, reversing a trend seen in March.
Despite the higher volumes, overall port transit time delays decreased significantly compared to March and are now at their lowest since Descartes began tracking the metric in 2021.
Imports from China rose 5.4 percent over March and 6.2 percent compared to April 2024, accounting for 33.4 percent of total US inbound container volume.
Descartes attributes this growth in part to importers pulling shipments forward ahead of new US tariffs, particularly the 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods implemented on April 9.
“Since the new elevated tariffs do not apply to goods already in transit when the tariffs were implemented, the tariff impact may be reflected more significantly in May container import volumes,” said Jackson Wood, director, industry strategy at Descartes.
Imports from the top 10 countries of origin increased by 2.8 percent in April, with notable gains from Italy (up 9.7 percent), Vietnam (up 6.2 percent), and Thailand (up 3.6 percent).
China saw the largest volume increase, while Germany and India posted the largest declines among the top 10 trading partners.
Cumulatively, US container imports for the first four months of 2025 were up 8.6 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
COSCO launches MPP fleet push with up to 30 newbuilds
China’s COSCO Shipping Bulk has signed up for a massive newbuilding programme in the multipurpose segment that could see up to 30 newbuildings delivered for a total of $1.5bn.
The dry bulk arm of the Chinese behemoth COSCO Shipping has teamed up with compatriot Citic Financial Leasing (Citic FL) for 15 firm 80,000 dwt MPPs at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding with options to double the order.
The two companies had earlier signed a charter deal without divulging further details.
CITIC FL will provide the financing for the vessels, continuing a financing model COSCO has used in prior deals.
A similar structure was seen last year when COSCO partnered with Everbright Financial Leasing to back ten 82,000 dwt bulk carriers under construction at Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry.
The latest order marks the next step in COSCO Shipping Bulk’s broader fleet expansion scheme.
In 2024, the company, which controls around 500 ships from handy size bulkers to very large ore carriers, unveiled plans to diversify its fleet with multiple types of newbuilds already booked for construction across several Chinese shipyards.
The MPP series is estimated to cost about $50m each with deliveries slated between 2027 and 2028.
Recent newbuilding activity has also included up to 12 newcastlemax vessels booked at CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding, with sources indicating further newbuilding deals in this segment may be imminent.
South Carolina ports enjoy 11pc cargo hike in March
SOUTH Carolina Ports (SC Ports) and its maritime partners moved 240,857 TEU and 131,513 pier containers in March, marking an 11 percent increase compared to March 2024, reports London’s Port Technology International.
This is the second consecutive month of growth following a slower period.
The state’s rail-served inland ports also delivered strong results.
Inland Port Greer moved a record 19,291 containers up 20 percent year on year following its expansion, while Inland Port Dillon handled 3,287 rail moves, a 14 percent increase from March last year.
Meanwhile, the Port of Charleston handled 20,483 vehicles in March, also a 14 percent increase year on year.
“While we anticipate volume fluctuations amid economic uncertainties, we are encouraged to see stronger volumes across all our business segments,” said SC ports CEO Barbara Melvin.
“We celebrate our maritime community, who works together every day to keep freight moving for port-dependent businesses throughout the Southeast and beyond.
AD Ports and partners explore e-methanol export facility
AD Ports Group has signed a collaboration agreement with Masdar, Addario and the CMA CGM Group to explore the feasibility of an emethanol bunkering and export facility at Khalifa Port and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi KEZAD Group.
The project will provide critical infrastructure to complete the supply value chain and bridge commercial emethanol production with key off-takers, such as CMA CGM, thereby supporting the acceleration of the decarbonization of the global shipping industry.
The collaboration agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 at between AD Ports Group and Masdar to explore the development of a green hydrogen hub within KEZAD.
Last year, Masdar also signed a strategic supply partnership with CMA CGM to assess the long-term provision of green maritime fuels for the company’s fleet.