The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) saw a 6% decrease, falling to $2,629 per 40ft container on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, marking a significant 75% decline from the pandemic-driven peak of $10,377 in September 2021 and represents the lowest level since May 2024.
However, the current rate is still 85% higher than the pre-pandemic average of $1,420 in 2019.
The year-to-date (YTD) average composite index stands at $3,372 per 40ft container, which is $489 above the 10-year average of $2,882, a figure notably inflated by the extraordinary shipping conditions of 2020-2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Freight rates on major trade routes have also experienced notable reductions. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles dropped by 11%, or $411, settling at $3,477 per 40ft container. Similarly, rates from Shanghai to New York fell by 10%, or $533, to $4,593 per 40ft container.
Other routes saw more modest declines: Shanghai to Genoa decreased by 2% (down $90) to $3,747 per 40ft container, and rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam, as well as from Rotterdam to New York, both dropped by 1%, with new rates of $2,586 and $2,374 per 40ft container, respectively.
Conversely, rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai and from New York to Rotterdam saw slight increases of 1%, reaching $503 and $835 per 40ft container, respectively. Rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai held steady, without any change.
Looking ahead, Drewry forecasts further declines in freight rates in the coming week, driven by a rise in shipping capacity.
For years, the Drewry WCI has served as a trusted, independent global benchmark for index-linked contracts, offering key insights into the fluctuations of the container shipping market.
