Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) has seen a dramatic 70% increase over the past four weeks, a direct consequence of President Donald Trump’s “pause” on import tariffs, which has spurred a significant resurgence in US-bound shipping volumes. This sharp upturn reverses a declining trend in freight rates observed since January.
The most recent data highlights astonishing week-on-week jumps in key trade lanes. Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles have skyrocketed by 57% in the past week alone, reaching $5,876 per 40ft container. This represents a staggering 117% increase since May 8th. Similarly, spot rates to New York have climbed 39% in the past week and 96% over the last four weeks.
The surge in rates is not limited to transpacific routes. Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa have also seen substantial increases in the past week, rising by 32% and 38% respectively, indicating a broader strengthening of the global container shipping market.
“The global container shipping market has experienced a sudden and significant short-term strengthening in its supply-demand balance,” commented a Drewry spokesperson. “This has completely reversed the downward trend in rates we’ve witnessed since the beginning of the year.”
However, Drewry’s Container Forecaster anticipates a weakening of the supply-demand balance in the second half of 2025, which is expected to lead to a decline in spot rates. The exact timing and extent of these rate changes remain uncertain, largely dependent on the outcomes of legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and potential capacity shifts stemming from the introduction of US penalties on Chinese ships.
Drewry is a leading international provider of research and consulting services to the maritime and shipping industries. With a focus on delivering impartial and expert analysis, Drewry helps clients navigate the complexities of global trade and logistics.
