- World Container Index Holds at $3,543 per FEU.
- Shanghai–New York Rates Rise 2% to $7,285.
- Shanghai–LA Spot Rates Up 89% Since Mid-May.
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) has remained steady at $3,543 for a 40ft container this week. Even though things have paused for now, the index has jumped by 59% over the last four weeks, mainly due to a surge in traffic heading to the US after President Trump decided to pause import tariffs, reports Drewry.
Transpacific Rates Keep Rising
Freight rates on Transpacific routes are still on the rise:
- The cost from Shanghai to New York went up by 2% this week, now sitting at $7,285 for a 40ft container, which is a whopping 67% increase since May 15.
- The rate from Shanghai to Los Angeles saw a 1% bump this week, marking an 89% rise over the past month.
This increase in rates comes after a brief drop in volumes, which are now bouncing back thanks to new capacity being added.
Europe-Bound Rates Stay Stable
On the other hand, freight rates from Shanghai to Europe have held steady:
- Shanghai to Rotterdam: $2,837 for a 40ft container
- Shanghai to Genoa: $4,054 for a 40ft container
This stability in rates indicates a more balanced supply and demand situation in that region.
Supply-Demand Tightness Shifts Trends
The recent tightening of global shipping capacity has put a stop to the steady decline in spot rates that we’ve seen since January. However, analysts caution that this might not last long.
Forecast: Rates Expected to Drop in the Second Half of 2025
According to Drewry’s Container Forecaster, the market is likely to loosen up in the second half of 2025, which could lead to a drop in spot rates. Future rate changes will hinge on:
- Legal outcomes of tariff disputes
- Possible US penalties on Chinese shipping companies
- Changes in global capacity deployment
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Source: Drewry
