News
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) rose 1% from the previous week to $2,213 per FEU in Week 52, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase, mainly due to rate hikes on the trans-Pacific and Asia–Europe trade routes. The index was up 1% from a year earlier as well.
Spot rates from Shanghai to Genoa increased 3% ($113) to $3,427 per 40ft container, and from Shanghai to Rotterdam, 2% ($45) to $2,584 per FEU. Spot rates on the Asia–Europe trade route have maintained stable or rising rate levels for four consecutive weeks. This strength is driven by a shift in seasonal patterns. Over the last three years, Drewry has recorded a double-digit month-on-month demand growth in December, establishing strong year-end volumes as a “new normal.” As carriers are already recording early bookings ahead of the impending Lunar New Year in February 2026, Drewry expects further slight rate increases next week.
Following last week’s double-digit rise, spot rates from Shanghai to New York and Shanghai to Los Angeles held steady this week at $3,302 per FEU and $2,481 per FEU, respectively. Drewry expects trans-Pacific rates to remain stable in the next week.
On the trans-Atlantic trade, spot rates stayed flat at $962 per FEU from New York to Rotterdam and picked up 1% ($10) to 1,652 per FEU from Rotterdam to New York.
