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Ocean Freight Reefer Market Update

Q4 2025

What’s shaping the Ocean Freight Reefer Market in 2025? Explore how various dynamics are impacting the global Ocean Reefer Business.

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Global Ocean Reefer Market Update

Demand

  • Global reefer trade remains strong, with 2025 growth of ~5–6%, driven by protein, seafood, and pharma demand into North America, East Asia, and the Middle East.

Capacity

  • Reefer capacity expands with ~95,000 new containers in 2025, but imbalances persist: Asia surplus vs. shortages in LATAM, Africa, and Southeast Asia due to slow returns and long-haul rotations.

Rates/News

  • Asia–EU dry cargo rates have dropped ~60% YoY; reefer rates remain comparatively more stable.
  • EU ETS surcharges add €40–€80 per reefer on EU inbound legs.
  • U.S. tariffs on Brazilian agri-imports shift trade flows (orange juice, coffee, frozen meat); CO₂ tracking demand rises among pharma and food customers.

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Regional Ocean Freight Reefer News

Europe

  • The new apple and citrus export season has officially started, marking a critical period for reefer logistics and capacity planning across key trade lanes.

Asia Pacific

  • The suspension of Peak Season Surcharges through mid-October and uneven capacity management during China’s Golden Week are influencing rate dynamics and space availability.

Middle East & Africa

  • Reefer container supply is expected to grow modestly, but tightness is likely in Q4 due to peak perishable export demand, especially on West Africa and Middle East trade corridors.

Americas

  • New tariffs are expected on brand-name pharmaceutical imports into the U.S., unless companies shift production domestically, a move that could reshape sourcing strategies and trade volumes.

Detailed Ocean Freight Reefer Market Update

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