25.02.10WCI Decreases 3% in Week 6

The World Container Index (WCI) decreased 3% from the previous week to $3,273 per FEU in Week 6, which was also 3% lower than a year earlier, according to Drewry. The composite index was 68% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 per FEU in September 2021 but 130% above the average of $1,420 per FEU in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The year-to-date average was $3,638 per FEU, $760 higher than the 10-year average of $2,878 per FEU, which is inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 COVID period.

Freight rates from Rotterdam to New York decreased 10%, or $263 to $2,469 per FEU, and those from Shanghai to Rotterdam, 5%, or $149 to $3,125 per FEU. Rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai and from Shanghai to Genoa reduced 4% to $498 per FEU and $4,236 per FEU, respectively. Those from Los Angeles to Shanghai decreased 2%, or $14 to $707 per FEU. Also, rates from New York to Rotterdam, from Shanghai to Los Angeles and from Shanghai to New York fell 1% to $833 per FEU, $4,717 per FEU and $6,212 per FEU, respectively.

Drewry expects spot rates to decrease slightly in the coming week due to the increase in capacity.