Drewry: World Container Index Up 2%

The latest World Container Index (WCI) from Drewry has risen 2% to $4,585 per 40ft container, buoyed by higher rates on Asia to Europe and Transpacific trade routes. The Transpacific route saw Shanghai to Los Angeles rates climb 2% to $8,007 per container and Shanghai to New York rates increase 1% to $10,166. Drewry's Container Capacity Insight notes only two blank sailings for next week, down from six this week, suggesting enhanced capacity utilization.

Strong US import demand has kept freight rates steady, with Drewry forecasting stability for the coming week. On the Asia–Europe route, Shanghai to Rotterdam rates climbed 3% to $3,632 per container, while Shanghai to Genoa rates rose 5% to $4,152. However, eight blank sailings are scheduled for next week, up from two this week, pointing to restricted capacity.

Carriers are cutting capacity through blank sailings to exert upward pressure on freight rates. Port congestion has eased, with vessel waiting times in Shanghai dropping from 97 hours to 38 hours. Despite this improvement, the East-West container freight market remains uncertain due to security risks and attacks on ships in the Gulf, with only two containerships sailing through the region in Week 42, compared to five the previous week.

Suez Canal sailings rose slightly from 54 to 55. While improved port conditions are helping vessel waiting times, the outlook hinges on demand, capacity management, and regional security developments. Drewry also offers Container Freight Rate Insight (CFRI), a service covering 6,700 global port pairs updated monthly (2,450 updated fortnightly) for spot market container freight rate data on additional routes.