Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) rose 8% this week to $2,233 per 40ft container, reflecting tightening capacity and heightened demand on major global trade lanes, particularly across the Transpacific.
© Ricardokuhl | Dreamstime
While still 78% below the September 2021 pandemic peak of $10,377, the index is 57% higher than the pre-Covid average of $1,420 from 2019. The year-to-date average stood at $2,746—$151 below the 10-year average of $2,896, which was influenced by the Covid-driven price surge of 2020–2022.
Freight rates from Shanghai to New York led the increase, jumping 19% or $704 to $4,350 per 40ft container. Shanghai to Los Angeles rates followed closely, rising 16% or $423 to $3,136. Conversely, some European routes saw minimal change: New York to Rotterdam edged up 1% to $824, while Shanghai to Rotterdam, Shanghai to Genoa, and Rotterdam to New York all fell 1%, to $2,035, $2,742, and $1,961 respectively. Rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai and Los Angeles to Shanghai remained flat.
'Following the latest US–China trade developments, Drewry expects an increase in Transpacific spot rates in the coming week due to shortage in capacity,' the firm stated.
The WCI is a trusted reference for index-linked contracts and tracks spot freight rates on eight major East-West trades. Drewry also offers Container Freight Rate Insight (CFRI), covering over 6,300 global port pairs, providing critical pricing intelligence to shippers, importers, and freight forwarders.
© Drewry
More information:
Drewry
info@drewry.co.uk
www.drewry.co.uk