The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell by 4%, dropping to $2,168 per 40ft container. This marks a 79% decrease from the pandemic-induced peak of $10,377 in September 2021 and represents the lowest level since January 2024. Despite the decline, the current index remains 53% higher than the pre-pandemic average of $1,420 in 2019.
The year-to-date (YTD) composite index stands at $3,053 per 40ft container, reflecting a $167 increase over the 10-year average of $2,886. This average is influenced by the exceptional freight rate spikes during the 2020-2022 Covid period.
Freight rates on specific routes also saw notable changes. Rates from Rotterdam to New York decreased by 7%, or $154, settling at $2,162 per 40ft container. Likewise, rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles fell by 6%, or $171, to $2,487 per 40ft container. Other routes also experienced declines, with rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Shanghai to New York down 4% to $2,370 and $3,622 per 40ft container, respectively. Additionally, rates from Shanghai to Genoa dropped by 3%, or $115, to $3,171 per 40ft container.
On the flip side, some routes saw slight increases. Rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai rose by 3%, or $16, to $500 per 40ft container, while rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai went up by 1%, or $7, to $709 per 40ft container. Rates from New York to Rotterdam remained stable.
Drewry forecasts a slight further decrease in rates in the coming weeks. For years, the World Container Index has served as the trusted, independent global reference for index-linked contracts in the shipping industry.
