Despite steep US tariffs on Chinese imports, global container volumes continue to grow, with China's factory output finding new markets and maintaining momentum, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

US tariffs, which reached up to 130 per cent, pushed down imports from China by 15 per cent between April and September, equating to 875,000 fewer TEU. Imports from China during the six-month period were at their lowest since 2013.

PIERS data showed US laden imports and exports were flat year-on-year, while global container volumes rose 4.1 per cent. Analyst Lars Jensen said the rest of the world remains largely unaffected by the US-China trade war.

Vietnam benefited most from the shift, with US imports rising nearly 26 per cent and accounting for 16.8 per cent of inbound traffic. Gains were also seen from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador and Guatemala.

Imports from the European Union grew 4.9 per cent despite tariffs. China's manufacturing activity rose in September, contributing to European port congestion and increased supply to Mexican factories.

Evergreen Line plans to expand services to Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean, deploying 12,000-TEU ships on the Asia-West Coast of South America route.

CMA CGM Americas CEO Adeline Chouraqui said the US remains a strategic market despite higher costs. The company committed US$20 billion in investment over five years, citing continued opportunities amid shifting trade flows.