Container Rate Rally Extends as Drewry WCI Hits Another 2026 High
Drewry’s World Container Index for 9 July rose 2% week over week to $4,639 per 40ft container, its highest reading since September 2024. The move was driven mainly by Asia–Europe strength, with Shanghai–Rotterdam up 5% to $4,933 per FEU and Shanghai–Genoa up 2% to $6,463, while the transpacific stayed firm with Shanghai–Los Angeles up 2% to $6,482 and Shanghai–New York unchanged at $7,904. Drewry also said only three blank sailings were announced for the next week on the transpacific and four on Asia–Europe, while carriers have flagged new GRIs and higher FAK levels effective mid-July.
Operator Impact Snapshot
The strongest upward pressure is still on Asia–Europe, with spot levels pushing higher again and carrier pricing discipline still visible.
Transpacific rates remain elevated, and new mid-July surcharge signals suggest carriers are still trying to hold the market high.
The next pricing move matters because announced GRIs and higher FAK levels could keep contract discussions and spot planning under pressure.
Blank sailings remain limited rather than extreme, but they are still low enough to support firmer pricing on key east-west lanes.
Drewry WCI 9 July Route Table
| Lane | This Week | Weekly Move | Current Read | Near Term Signal | Operator Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composite WCI Global benchmark per 40ft container |
$4,639 |
+2% | The benchmark added to last week’s surge and moved to its highest level since September 2024. | The rally slowed but did not break. | Procurement and budgeting pressure remains elevated. |
Shanghai to Rotterdam North Europe |
$4,933 |
+5% | This was the strongest major lane move in the weekly release. | Asia–Europe remains the clearest support zone for the current rally. | BCOs and forwarders on Europe lanes are still dealing with firm spot conditions. |
Shanghai to Genoa Mediterranean |
$6,463 |
+2% | Mediterranean pricing stayed very strong and built on prior gains. | Carrier FAK targets are still aimed high on Asia–Med. | Importers and NVOs with Med exposure remain under rate pressure. |
Shanghai to Los Angeles US West Coast |
$6,482 |
+2% | Transpac west coast pricing kept climbing, though less sharply than earlier in the rally. | Mid-July GRIs keep the lane on watch for another move. | Useful for owners and operators tracking spot support into the second half of July. |
Shanghai to New York US East Coast |
$7,904 |
Flat | East coast pricing held at a very elevated level even without another weekly gain. | Stability at this level still points to a tight market rather than softening. | High all-in import cost pressure remains intact on east coast routings. |
Container Rate Exposure Tool
Estimate weekly spot spend using the latest WCI lane levels and compare the cost swing from this week’s published rates.
This uses the selected lane, the latest published WCI level, your spot-exposed share, and your selected planning buffer.
This estimates how much more or less your weekly spend would be versus the prior week on the same lane.
For editorial and planning use only. This tool is based on the latest Drewry weekly lane levels shown above and is not a freight quote, tender result, or carrier-specific offer.
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