The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) rose 2% WoW to $1,957 per 40ft container, its second straight weekly gain, reflecting strengthening Asia–Europe spot rates despite renewed softness on Transpacific lanes.

• Shanghai–Rotterdam rates increased 5% WoW to $2,361, marking a fourth consecutive week of stability or gains on Asia–Europe routes as seasonal year-end demand firms.

• Shanghai–Genoa surged 13% WoW to $3,004, the largest weekly increase across major lanes, supported by early bookings ahead of the February 2026 Lunar New Year.

• Shanghai–Los Angeles fell -7% WoW to $2,103, reversing last week’s brief recovery as weakening volumes and rising blank sailings weighed on Transpacific headhaul rates.

• Shanghai–New York declined -5% WoW to $2,756, showing similar pressure on East Coast routes amid limited cargo availability following the early November holiday shipping.

• Drewry reported 12 additional blank sailings scheduled next week on the Transpacific, noting that capacity cuts have not been enough to offset weak demand, and expects slight further softening in U.S. bound rates.

• In contrast, Asia–Europe rates have benefited from four consecutive weeks of stable or rising spot levels, consistent with Drewry’s observed pattern of double-digit December demand growth over the last three years.

• The composite WCI is down -45% YoY, and Asia–Europe lanes such as Shanghai–Rotterdam (-51% YoY) and Shanghai–Genoa (-46% YoY) remain well below 2024 levels, underscoring the broader normalization in global freight markets.

• Over the last three years, Drewry has observed double-digit month-on-month demand growth in December, establishing strong year-end volumes as the "new normal." With the Lunar New Year falling in February 2026, carriers are already seeing early bookings, leading Drewry to forecast further slight rate increases next week.