Seasonal changes in demand, impact from disruptions in the ocean market due to security concerns and variable demand for airfreight capacity from direct e-commerce business could cause volatility in average buy rates on certain routes. Additionally, geopolitical concerns, inter-governmental trade disputes, new tariffs on imports into the U.S. 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 may 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 and ocean services consists of three basic services: ocean freight consolidation, order management and direct ocean forwarding. Ocean freight and ocean services revenues and expense decreased 27% and 31%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2% and 5%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 as compared with the same periods in 2024. The largest component of our ocean freight and ocean services revenue is derived from ocean freight consolidation, which represented 68% and 70% of ocean freight and ocean services revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Ocean freight consolidation revenues and expense decreased 35% and 38%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2025, as compared with the same period in 2024, primarily due to 33% and 36% decreases in average sell and buy rates and a 3% decrease in containers shipped primarily from retail customers. Ocean freight consolidation revenues and expenses decreased 5% and 8%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, as compared with the same period in 2024, primarily due to 8% and 11% decreases in average sell and buy rates, offset by a 4% increase in containers shipped. The declines in average buy rates and sell rates are due to a softening demand primarily on exports out of Asia and an increase in available carrier capacity. This decline could continue for the remainder of 2025 and beyond if demand softens and additional vessels are brought into service.
North Asia ocean freight and ocean services revenues decreased 43% and 13%, respectively, and expenses decreased 46% and 16% driven by lower volumes and average rates. Containers shipped out of North Asia region decreased 12% and 3%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025 while they increased for other regions. This was mainly due to customers relocating sourcing out of China to other regions and softening of the retail sector.
South Asia ocean freight and ocean services revenues and expenses decreased 23% and 28%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2025, while they increased 10% and 7%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025. The decreases in the third quarter are due to declining average sell and buy rates compared to a strong first half of 2025 when customers front loaded shipments in anticipation of higher tariffs.
Order management revenues and expenses decreased 7%, and 9%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2025, while they both increased 7% respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same periods in 2024 due to loss of volumes in the third quarter, mainly in the North Asia region as customers slowed down ordering or shifted sourcing given the uncertainty of U.S. tariff changes.
Direct ocean freight forwarding revenues increased 3% and 5%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, and expenses increased 5% and 7% principally due to higher ancillary services in the United States and Europe.
The global economic and trade environment are increasingly uncertain and dynamic, with increases in trade tariffs and inter-governmental disputes. As shippers and carriers reacted to these volatile conditions, it negatively affected demand, which reduced our volumes and average sell and buy rates. Further, carriers have added new vessels which increased capacity and substantially decreased average sell and buy rates. While some volumes are shifting to other routes and as customers look to mitigate their exposure to U.S./China-specific tariffs, it is too early to know what the overall impact on volumes might be. If safe passage through the Red Sea resumes, additional capacity will become available due to shorter transit times. These conditions could further depress sell and buy rates and cause further decreases in our revenues and operating income.
Customs brokerage and other services:
Customs brokerage and other services revenues increased 13% and 12% and expenses increased 11% and 12% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, as compared with the same periods in 2024. These changes are primarily due to increases in customs clearances, import services, road freight and warehousing and distribution from higher shipment volumes, principally from shipments into North America and Europe.