The Port of Piraeus has seen a rise in container traffic, despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting global trade.
The return of container ships through the Red Sea remains uncertain due to escalating conflicts between Israel and Iran.
Nevertheless, the Port of Piraeus, particularly Piers II and III managed by Cosco Shipping Ports, is experiencing an uptick in container traffic, highlighting the port’s resilience and strategic significance amid these new challenges.
Shipping brokers reported that traffic through the Suez Canal is still 60% lower than levels prior to the Houthi attacks, despite the Suez Canal Authority’s discount initiatives aimed at enticing carriers back to this vital global shipping route.
Data from Cosco Shipping Ports indicates a 5.6% monthly increase in container traffic through Piers II and III at the Piraeus Container Terminal.
In May 2025, the terminal handled 337,000 TEUs, up from 319,000 TEUs in May 2024.
Over the last five months, traffic increased by 5.2%, with a total of 1.674 million TEUs processed through Piers II and III, compared to 1.591 million TEUs during the same timeframe last year.
Globally, Cosco Shipping Ports reported solid performance in May 2025, with container traffic across its 35 ports reaching 9.8 million TEUs, a 3.6% increase from the same month in 2024.
From January to May 2025, a total of 46.6 million TEUs were handled at Cosco-operated terminals, an increase from 43.9 million TEUs during the same period in 2024 — reflecting a 6.2% rise.
In China, container traffic was strong in the southwestern regions and the Yangtze River Delta. Specifically, the Yangtze River Delta — a major global shipping and industrial hub — processed 1.471 million TEUs in May, compared to 1.416 million TEUs in the same month last year.
