Market Overview
On 10th Sep, HYSUN’s monitoring data indicates that China’s used container market (covering major ports including Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Xi’an) has experienced a weak start to the traditional peak season of “Golden September,” showing declines in both volume and prices. Despite typically seeing a transaction surge in September, this year has been marked by persistently soft demand and broadly declining prices.
Price Trends : All container types continued their downward trend this week
Key Factors
1. Global Demand Contraction
- Weakening economic growth has suppressed end consumption, reducing export container volumes
- Inflationary pressures have dampened overseas purchasing willingness
2. Worsening Supply-Demand Imbalance
- Ample container supply continues with persistent yard congestion
- Both seller hesitation and buyer emotion maintain low transaction activity
3. Policy Uncertainty
- fluctuating trade policies affect long-term shipment planning
- Some companies prioritize inventory reduction over new purchases
HYSUN Perspective
1. Weak Peak Season Confirmed
- The “Golden September” demand rebound has significantly underperformed expectations
- Downward price pressure may persist into Q4 2025
2. Notable Regional Divergence
- Northern ports (Qingdao/Tianjin) show larger price drops
- Southern ports (Guangzhou/Xiamen) demonstrate relative resilience despite soft demand
3. Container Value Reassessment
- Older containers (2015-2018 builds) face increased depreciation pressure
- High-cubes (40HC) slightly outperform small containers due to storage demand support
Recommendations
- For Buyers:
▸ Utilize current price lows, prioritizing negotiation for older containers
▸ Focus on southern port availability (better price stability in Guangzhou/Xiamen)
- For Shippers:
▸ Accelerate phase-out of inefficient containers to reduce holding costs
▸ Explore SOC (Shipper-Owned Container) solutions to lower logistics costs
HYSUN Services
We continue to provide:
- Multi-port Availability: 1000+ TEU cargo-worthy units at Qingdao/Shanghai/Guangzhou
- Customized Solutions: SOC alternatives for tariff-sensitive routes
- Real-time Data Services: Weekly updates on port price indices and inventory reports
Forward Outlook
Anticipated for Q4 2025:
◼ Prices to remain bottom-bound with limited rebound momentum
◼ Further expansion of regional price disparities likely
◼ Accelerated price differentiation between new and old containers
Hysun has an inventory of CW and NEW dry containers at main ports in China, as well as in North America, Europe and South Asia. For interested readers, please click the link below to view Hysun global inventory for Week 37.