Drewry World Container Index

Data Shipping

Source: Drewry
Source Link: https://www.drewry.co.uk/
Frequency: Weekly
Next Release(s): September 4th, 2025 9:45 AM

Latest Updates

Drewry’s World Container Index fell -6% WoW to $2,119 per 40ft container, marking an 11th straight weekly decline as post-tariff volatility continues.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles spot rates dropped -3% to $2,332/feu, while Shanghai–New York fell -5% to $3,291/feu, reflecting weaker US retail demand after the early peak season.
- Asia–Europe routes also softened, with Shanghai–Rotterdam down -10% to $2,661/feu and Shanghai–Genoa down -5% to $2,842/feu, as vessel oversupply outweighed solid demand and port delays.
- The rate slide follows a sharp May–June surge triggered by US tariffs, with declines persisting through July and into late August.
- Drewry expects further near-term weakness as the supply-demand balance deteriorates, with added uncertainty from potential new US tariffs and penalties on Chinese ships.
Drewry’s World Container Index fell -4% WoW to $2,250 per 40ft container, marking a tenth straight weekly decline as post-tariff volatility continues to ease.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates dropped -3% to $2,412/feu, while Shanghai–New York fell -5% to $3,463/feu, reflecting weaker US retail demand after an early peak season.
- Asia–Europe rates also declined, with Shanghai–Rotterdam down -6% to $2,973/feu and Shanghai–Genoa down -3% to $2,978/feu, as vessel oversupply outweighed solid demand and port delays.
- The recent rate downtrend began after US tariffs triggered a May–June surge, followed by a sharp decline until mid-July; losses have since slowed.
- Drewry expects spot rates to remain less volatile in the near term but sees renewed downward pressure in 2H25 as supply-demand dynamics weaken.
Drewry’s World Container Index fell -3% WoW to $2,350 per 40ft container, marking a ninth straight weekly decline as the post–tariff surge in rates continues to unwind.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates fell -2% to $2,494/feu, while Shanghai–New York rates dropped -5% to $3,638/feu.
- The recent downtrend began in mid-June after a sharp tariff-driven spike from May to early June.
- Drewry expects spot rates to remain less volatile in the near term but sees renewed downward pressure in 2H25 as the supply-demand balance weakens.
- Future rate movements hinge on additional US tariffs and possible penalties on Chinese ships, which could alter capacity dynamics.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -3% WoW to $2,424 for the 8th straight week, continuing a post-tariff cooldown in spot rates. The index is now down -56% YoY.
- Shanghai–New York dropped -7% WoW to $3,826 and is down -57% YoY; Shanghai–Los Angeles fell -4% WoW and -81% YoY to $2,534.
- Rates also declined on Shanghai–Genoa (-4% WoW), Shanghai–Rotterdam (-2%), and New York–Rotterdam (-3%).
- Eastbound transatlantic and backhaul routes held steady: Rotterdam–New York and Los Angeles–Shanghai were flat WoW and slightly positive YoY.
- Durable gains held in transatlantic lanes: New York–Rotterdam is up +11% YoY, and Rotterdam–New York +1% YoY.
- Drewry expects further rate weakness in H2 2025 due to a looser supply-demand balance and uncertainty over future US-China tariffs.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -1% WoW to $2,499 per 40ft container in the week ending July 31, 2025, as the post-tariff freight rush continues to fade and market conditions stabilize.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates dropped -2% WoW to $2,632, and Shanghai–New York also declined -2% to $4,135.
- The composite index is now down -56% YoY, with Shanghai–Rotterdam (-60%) and Shanghai–Genoa (-56%) seeing some of the steepest annual declines.
- Transatlantic routes held steadier: New York–Rotterdam was unchanged WoW and up 14% YoY, while Rotterdam–New York slipped -1% WoW but is still up 3% YoY.
- With the US tariff pause set to expire mid-August, carriers are cutting sailings; Drewry expects rates to remain less volatile near term, but risks of renewed weakness persist into H2 2025.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -3.3% WoW to $2,517 per 40ft container in the week ending July 24, 2025, marking its sixth straight weekly decline and continued reversal from the June tariff surge.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates dropped -5% WoW to $2,675, while Shanghai–New York fell -7% to $4,210.
- The post-tariff cargo rush has faded, prompting carriers to cancel transpacific sailings.
- Drewry forecasts continued spot rate declines into H2 2025 as supply-demand imbalances reemerge.
- Future rate trends remain volatile due to uncertainty over US tariffs and potential shipping penalties on Chinese vessels.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -3% WoW to $2,602 per 40ft container in the week ending July 17, 2025, marking its fifth consecutive weekly decline and down -58% YoY.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles dropped -4% WoW to $2,817 and is down -61% YoY, despite still being 4% above early May levels.
- Shanghai–New York declined -6% WoW to $4,539 but remains 24% higher than in early May; YoY down -53%.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam slipped -1% WoW to $3,334, now down -60% YoY.
- Rotterdam–Shanghai rose 2% WoW to $495, though still down -21% YoY.
- Routes with modest gains WoW include New York–Rotterdam (+1%) and Rotterdam–New York (+1%), with both up YoY.
- Drewry expects continued pressure on rates into H2 2025 due to weakening demand and uncertainty from US tariff and shipping policy.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -5% WoW to $2,672 per 40ft container for the week ending July 10, 2025, continuing its fourth consecutive weekly decline and down -55% YoY.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates dropped -8% WoW to $2,931, still up 8% from early May but down -61% YoY.
- Shanghai–New York fell -5% WoW to $4,839, though still 33% higher than nine weeks ago; YoY down -48%.
- Shanghai–Genoa declined -7% WoW to $3,491 and is down -54% YoY.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam slipped -2% WoW to $3,384, down -58% YoY.
- Rotterdam–New York was flat WoW at $1,990 but up 2% YoY, one of the few routes with annual growth.
- Drewry expects further spot rate declines in the coming weeks due to oversupply and weak demand, with added uncertainty from pending U.S. tariff policy and potential shipping restrictions on China.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -6% WoW to $2,812 per 40ft container for the week ending July 3, 2025, marking the third straight weekly decline and down -52% YoY.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles dropped -15% WoW to $3,180 and is down -57% YoY, despite being up 17% from early May.
- Shanghai–New York fell -11% WoW to $5,070 but is still up 39% over the last eight weeks; YoY down -45%.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam rose +8% WoW to $3,468, though still down -57% YoY.
- Shanghai–Genoa declined -9% WoW to $3,751 and is down -50% YoY.
- Rotterdam–New York rose +7% WoW and YoY to $2,119, the only route with positive annual growth.
- Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken again in 2H25, which will cause spot rates to decline. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on Trump’s future tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of the US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.
The Drewry World Container Index fell -9% WoW to $2,983 per 40ft container for the week ending June 26, 2025, marking its second straight weekly drop amid cooling US-bound cargo demand.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates plunged -20% WoW to $3,741 and are down -37% YoY, despite a 7-week gain of 38%.
- Shanghai–New York declined -13% WoW to $5,703, still up 56% from early May, but -27% YoY.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam and Shanghai–Genoa both rose +1% WoW to $3,204 and $4,100, respectively, though YoY rates remain down -56% and -42%.
- The Rotterdam–Shanghai and Rotterdam–New York routes were flat WoW, while New York–Rotterdam declined -1%.
- Drewry: “We expect the supply-demand balance to weaken again in 2H25, which will cause spot rates to decline. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of the US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.”
The Drewry World Container Index fell -7% WoW to $3,279 per 40ft container for the week ending June 19, 2025, marking its first decline in over a month amid weakening US-bound cargo demand.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rates dropped -20% WoW to $4,702, down -27% YoY.
- Shanghai–New York fell -10% WoW to $6,584, though still up 81% over the past six weeks.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam rose 12% WoW to $3,171, but remains down -54% YoY.
- Shanghai–Genoa inched up 1% WoW to $4,075, but is down -42% YoY.
- Drewry: “Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken again in 2H25, which will cause spot rates to decline. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of the US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.”
The Drewry World Container Index held steady at $3,543 per 40ft container for the week ending June 12, 2025, but is up 70% over the past four weeks following a surge in US-bound traffic after Trump's tariff pause.
- Shanghai–Los Angeles rose 57% WoW to $5,876, up 117% over the past four weeks.
- Shanghai–New York climbed 39% WoW to $7,164, up 96% in the last four weeks.
- Shanghai–Rotterdam increased 32% WoW to $2,845; Shanghai–Genoa rose 38% WoW to $4,088.
- The short-term supply-demand rebound has reversed a rate decline trend that began in January.
- Drewry expects rates to weaken again in H2 2025 amid legal uncertainty over tariffs and evolving shipping capacity.