Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) has stabilized after nine weeks of consecutive declines, marking a return to predictability in the global shipping market.
The recent volatility in container freight rates began in April with the announcement of new U.S. tariffs, which caused rates to surge from May to early June. This was followed by a sharp decline until mid-July, at which point the downward trend lost momentum.
Transpacific spot rates saw a modest decrease this week, with the Shanghai-Los Angeles rate falling 2% to $2,494 per 40-foot equivalent unit (feu) and the Shanghai-New York rate dropping 5% to $3,638 per feu. This decline is attributed to the conclusion of the rush to ship cargo ahead of the tariff increase. Drewry anticipates less volatility in spot rates in the coming weeks as the market adjusts.
Looking ahead, Drewry’s Container Forecaster predicts a weakening of the supply-demand balance in the second half of 2025, which is expected to lead to a contraction in spot rates. The timing and extent of future rate changes will be influenced by forthcoming U.S. tariffs and potential capacity shifts resulting from U.S. penalties on Chinese shipping, both of which remain uncertain.
