Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) fell by 2% to $2,157 per 40ft container for the week of 24 April 2025. This marks a 79% drop from the pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021, though the current index remains 52% higher than the pre-pandemic average of $1,420 in 2019. The average year-to-date WCI stands at $2,854, slightly above the 10-year average of $2,891, a figure inflated by the extraordinary market conditions during 2020-2022.
Freight rates from Shanghai to New York decreased by 3% to $3,611 per 40ft container, while rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles and Rotterdam to Shanghai saw a 2% drop, landing at $2,617 and $481, respectively. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Rotterdam to New York fell by 1%, while the New York to Rotterdam route saw a 1% increase to $825.
Drewry forecasts that freight rates will continue to decrease in the coming weeks, citing uncertainty driven by reciprocal tariffs.
More information:
Drewry
www.drewry.co.uk