25.03.31WCI Decreases 4% in Week 13

The World Container Index (WCI) decreased 4% from the previous week to $2,168 per FEU in Week 13, according to Drewry. The composite was 79% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 per FEU in September 2021 and the lowest since January 2024. However, it was 53% above the average of $1,420 per FEU in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The year-to-date average closed at $3,053 per FEU, $167 higher than the 10-year average of $2,886 per FEU, which is inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 COVID period.

Freight rates from Rotterdam to New York decreased 7%, or $154 to $2,162 per FEU, and those from Shanghai to Los Angeles fell 6%, or $171 to $2,487 per FEU. Rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and from Shanghai to New York decreased 4%, or &106 to $2,370 per FEU and 4%, or $152 to $3,622 per FEU, respectively, while those from Shanghai to Genoa reduced 3%, or $115 to $3,171 per FEU. Conversely, rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai increased 3%, or $16 to $500 per 40ft container, and those from Los Angeles to Shanghai increased 1%, or $7 to $709 per 40ft container. Meanwhile, rates from New York to Rotterdam remained stable.

Drewry expects rates to decrease slightly in the upcoming weeks.