Drewry's latest World Container Index (WCI) has fallen for the ninth consecutive week, down 3% to $2,350 per 40ft container in the week to 14 August 2025, signalling continued market stabilisation after months of volatility.
© Tawatchai Prakobkit | Dreamstime
The index's recent fluctuations stem from the US tariffs announced in April, which triggered a surge in container freight rates from May through early June. That spike was followed by a sharp decline until mid-July, when the rate of decrease began to slow.
Transpacific spot rates dropped again this week, with Shanghai–Los Angeles routes down 2% to $2,494/feu, and Shanghai–New York routes down 5% to $3,638/feu. Drewry attributed the easing to the end of the rush to move goods ahead of the tariff hikes. 'Since the big rush to ship cargo before the tariff increase is now over, Drewry expects spot rates to be less volatile in the coming week,' the company said.
Looking ahead, Drewry's Container Forecaster predicts a renewed weakening of the supply, demand balance in the second half of 2025, putting further downward pressure on spot rates. The extent and timing of any changes will depend on future tariff measures from the Trump administration, as well as potential capacity adjustments in response to US penalties on Chinese ships, both factors remain uncertain.
The WCI, a widely used benchmark for index-linked contracts, tracks spot market freight rates on eight major East–West trade routes and serves as a key reference for shippers, freight forwarders and import, export stakeholders worldwide.
This latest downward trend marks a significant cooling of the container shipping market following the tariff-fuelled volatility of earlier this year, with industry attention now shifting to geopolitical developments that could shape rates in the months ahead.
© Drewry
More information:
Drewry
www.drewry.co.uk
