Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) is a pivotal benchmark in global container shipping, offering weekly insights into spot freight rates across major East-West trade routes. As of the latest assessment on March 27, 2025, the WCI composite index decreased by 4% to $2,168 per 40ft container. This figure is 79% below the pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 but remains 53% higher than the pre-pandemic average of $1,420 in 2019.
Key highlights from the March 27 Assessment
- Shanghai to Los Angeles: Rates fell by 6% ($171) to $2,487 per 40ft container.
- Shanghai to Rotterdam: Decreased by 4% to $2,370 per 40ft container.
- Shanghai to New York: Dropped by 4% to $3,622 per 40ft container.
- Shanghai to Genoa: Reduced by 3% ($115) to $3,171 per 40ft container.
- Rotterdam to New York: Declined by 7% ($154) to $2,162 per 40ft container.
- Rotterdam to Shanghai: Increased by 3% ($16) to $500 per 40ft container.
- Los Angeles to Shanghai: Rose by 1% ($7) to $709 per 40ft container.
- New York to Rotterdam: Remained stable.
The year-to-date average composite index stands at $3,053 per 40ft container, which is $167 higher than the 10-year average of $2,886, a figure influenced by the exceptional rates during the COVID-19 period.
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Source: Drewry
