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Drewry’s World Container Index rose 3% to $4,485 per 40-foot container on Thursday, October 15, reversing three consecutive weekly declines as Asia-Europe spot rates turned higher after a 13-week slide. Shanghai-Rotterdam increased 6% to $3,522/FEU and Shanghai-Genoa rose 7% to $3,945, while the transpacific split: Shanghai-Los Angeles gained 3% to $7,884 and Shanghai-New York slipped 1% to $10,075. The rebound follows the post-Golden Week demand lull, but Drewry says additional capacity is returning to Asia-Europe through fewer blank sailings and renewed Suez Canal transits. Carriers are attempting new Asia-Europe FAK levels of $4,500-$4,800/FEU from October 19, although Drewry says successful implementation remains uncertain and expects rates to remain broadly stable next week.
Container Rates Turn Higher After Three Weekly Declines
The composite rebound was driven primarily by Asia-Europe, where spot rates finally broke a 13-week losing streak. Transpacific pricing remains much higher but moved in opposite directions on the West and East Coast lanes.
Rotterdam and Genoa both increased after 13 consecutive weeks of Asia-Europe declines.
Drewry says strong U.S. import demand continues to underpin elevated transpacific pricing.
Fewer Asia-Europe blank sailings and resumed Suez transits are adding effective capacity even as carriers push new FAK levels.
The Rebound Is Concentrated, Not Universal
Asia-Europe supplied the strongest weekly increases, Los Angeles firmed on strong U.S. import demand, and New York moved lower. Current headhaul rates also remain dramatically above the comparable mid-October 2025 levels.
| Route | Oct. 15 Rate | Oct. 8 Rate | Weekly Change | Approx. Dollar Move | Mid-Oct. 2025 | Capacity / Market Context | Current Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai → Rotterdam | $3,522 / FEU | $3,337 | ▲ 6% | +$185 |
$1,669 on Oct. 16, 2025 About 111% higher now |
Asia-Europe has only two blank sailings announced for next week, down from six this week. Resumed Suez transits are also returning effective vessel capacity. | First Asia-Europe weekly increase after 13 consecutive declines, but additional capacity could limit how far the rebound extends. |
| Shanghai → Genoa | $3,945 / FEU | $3,696 | ▲ 7% | +$249 |
$1,821 on Oct. 16, 2025 About 117% higher now |
Mediterranean pricing turned higher with the broader Asia-Europe rebound while carriers prepare new October 19 FAK levels. | Strongest percentage increase among the four main Shanghai headhaul lanes highlighted by Drewry this week. |
| Shanghai → Los Angeles | $7,884 / FEU | $7,624 | ▲ 3% | +$260 |
$2,195 on Oct. 16, 2025 About 259% higher now |
Six transpacific blank sailings are announced for next week, unchanged from this week. Drewry says strong U.S. import demand continues to support rates. | West Coast pricing recovered from the Golden Week decline and remains far above last year's level. |
| Shanghai → New York | $10,075 / FEU | $10,220 | ▼ 1% | -$145 |
$3,236 on Oct. 16, 2025 About 211% higher now |
East Coast rates remain the highest of Drewry's four major Shanghai headhaul readings despite the weekly decline. | The composite rebound did not lift every major lane. New York moved lower while Los Angeles increased. |
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