Seasonal changes in demand, impact from disruptions in the ocean market due to security and port congestion concerns, variable demand for airfreight capacity from direct e-commerce business, including the elimination of low-value de minimis exemption on shipments from China could cause volatility in average buy rates on certain lanes. Additionally, geopolitical concerns, inter-governmental trade disputes, new tariffs on imports into the US and retaliatory actions from other countries create uncertainty in the economy and the trade environment. As shippers and carriers react to these volatile conditions, it may negatively affect demand for airfreight services, which could significantly reduce our volumes and average sell and buy rates in the coming quarters. Though we are unable to predict how these uncertainties and any future disruptions will affect our operations or financial results prospectively, these conditions could result in significant decreases in our revenues and operating income.
Ocean freight and ocean services:
Ocean freight consolidation, direct ocean forwarding, and order management are the three basic services that constitute and are collectively referred to as ocean freight and ocean services. Ocean freight and ocean services revenues and expense increased 37% and 39%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared with the same period in 2024. The largest component of our ocean freight and ocean services revenue is derived from ocean freight consolidation, which represented 71% and 65% of ocean freight and ocean services revenue for the three month ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Ocean freight consolidation revenues and expenses increased 50% and 48%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared with the same period in 2024, primarily due to 39% and 38% increases in average sell and buy rates, and an 8% increase in containers shipped. Average buy rates per container increased due to strong demand compared to the first quarter of 2024, as importers front loaded deliveries in anticipation of higher tariffs. Rate declines that started in the fourth quarter of 2024 may continue throughout 2025 as demand softens and capacity increases when additional vessels are brought into service.
Containers shipped were higher, most significantly on exports out of North and South Asia. North and South Asia ocean freight and ocean services revenues increased 43% and 73%, and expenses increased 44% and 80%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to a relatively weak first quarter in 2024. Increases were primarily due to higher average sell and buy rates and containers shipped due to the factors above. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, North America ocean freight and ocean services revenues increased 22%, compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to higher revenues on imports driven by higher buy rates on exports while expenses only increased 7%.
Order management revenues and expenses increased 29%, and 32%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024 due to increases in volumes from new customers. Direct ocean freight forwarding revenues and expenses increased 3% and 4%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, principally due to higher volumes for ancillary services in the United States.
The global economic and trade environment are increasingly uncertain and dynamic, with increases in trade tariffs and inter-governmental disputes. As shippers and carriers react to these volatile conditions, it may negatively affect demand, which could significantly reduce our volumes and average sell and buy rates in the coming quarters. Further, carriers are adding new vessels which will increase capacity. In addition, if safe passage through the Red Sea resumes, additional capacity will become available due to shorter transit times. Subsequent to March 31, 2025, we are seeing early signs that China to U.S. ocean volumes are declining significantly. While some of those volumes are shifting to other lanes, as customers look to mitigate their exposure to China-specific tariffs, it is too early to know what the overall decline in volumes might be. Speculation regarding additional tariffs may cause more customers to pause or cancel shipments entirely. These conditions could result in significant decreases in our revenues and operating income.
Customs brokerage and other services:
Customs brokerage and other services revenues and expenses increased 12% and 15% for the three months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, as compared with the same period in 2024, primarily due to increases in customs clearances, import services, road freight and warehousing and distribution from higher shipment volumes, principally in North America and Europe. North America and Europe revenues increased 14% and 7%, respectively and expenses increased 16% and 10%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, respectively, as compared with the same period in 2024.
Import services, including charges at ports such as detention, drayage, terminal charges and delivery, and road freight services increased significantly in the first quarter of 2025 because of higher volumes from shippers front loading deliveries in anticipation of higher tariffs.