ASIAN exports to Southern Africa grew 5.6 per cent year on year in 2017 to 772,000 TEU according to Container Trade Statistics (CTS), reported the American Journal of Transportation.

Based on the start to this year and brighter economic prospects for the inbound region, London's Drewry Maritime Research expects 2018 to see southbound Asia to Southern Africa volume surpass that of 2013.

While last year's total was still below the 807,000 TEU moved in the record year on 2013, Drewry says the movement represents a promising recovery.

CTS said last year's exports grew fastest from North Asia, which rose 6.8 per cent to 175,000 TEU, closely followed by Southeast Asia (up 6.3 per cent to 133,000 TEU) and Greater China (up 4.9 per cent to 464,000 TEU).