25.01.27WCI Decreases 11% in Week 4

The World Container Index (WCI) decreased 11% from the previous week to $3,445 per FEU in Week 4, which declined 13% from a year earlier, according to Drewry. The composite index was 67% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 per FEU in September 2021 but 143% above the average of $1,420 per FEU in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.The year-to-date average was $3,798 per FEU, $924 higher than the 10-year average of $2,874 per FEU, which is inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 COVID period.

Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased 19%, or $797 to $3,434 per FEU, while those from Shanghai to Genoa fell 10%, or $524 to $4,562 per FEU. Similarly, rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles reduced 8%, or $415 to $4,813 per FEU, followed by rates from Shanghai to New York which slid 7%, or $448 to $6,377 per FEU. Also, rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai, from Los Angeles to Shanghai, from New York to Rotterdam and from Rotterdam to New York decreased 1% to $515 per FEU, $721 per FEU, $821 per FEU and $2,778 per FEU, respectively.

Drewry expects spot rates to decrease slightly in the coming week on the back of the Lunar New Year holidays.