Europe's trade and shipping sectors are experiencing a complex economic landscape in the second half of 2025, with Germany reporting stable export levels but a narrowing surplus, while global container freight rates continue to soften.
© Mr.siwabud Veerapaisarn | Dreamstime
According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), German exports reached €786.0 billion in the first half of 2025, down just 0.1% from the same period last year. Imports, however, rose by 4.4% to €682.0 billion, reducing the trade surplus by 22.2% to €104.0 billion compared with €133.7 billion in 2024. Destatis noted: 'With a value of 786.0 billion euros, German exports were down 0.1% in the first half of 2025 and were therefore almost at the level recorded in the same period a year earlier.'
Key shifts were seen in Germany's trading relationships: exports to the United States fell by 3.9%, while imports from China climbed by 10.7%, signalling evolving supply dependencies.
At the same time, Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) dropped by 4% to $2,250 per 40ft container, marking its tenth consecutive weekly decline. Rates on key Asia–Europe routes also softened, with Shanghai–Rotterdam down 6% ($2,973/feu) and Shanghai–Genoa down 3% ($2,978/feu). Drewry attributed this to an oversupply of vessel capacity despite steady European demand and port delays.
Hind Chitty, Senior Manager at Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, explained that the volatility observed earlier in the year, triggered by US tariffs in April, is easing: 'The rate of decrease slowed considerably,' Drewry reported, while forecasting further gradual declines in the second half of the year.
Transpacific lanes also reflected this adjustment, with US retailers scaling back procurement after an early peak season. Drewry's analysts expect rates to stabilise in the coming weeks, though future tariff policies and potential penalties on Chinese vessels could create further uncertainty.
For Europe's design, interiors, and manufacturing industries, these trends carry significant implications. Higher import volumes and lower freight rates may ease some supply pressures, while the narrowing German trade surplus highlights the need for adaptability in sourcing and market strategies.
Comprehensive data and forecasts are available via Destatis' GENESIS-Online database and Drewry's Container Freight Rate Insight platform, providing stakeholders with tools to navigate this evolving trade environment.
© Drewry
More information:
Destatis
www.destatis.de
Drewry
www.drewry.co.uk
