Drewry WCI Holds at $4,476 as U.S. Container Rates Rise and Europe Lanes Slide
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Drewry's World Container Index held essentially flat for a second week, with the September 10 reading at $4,476 per 40-foot container compared with $4,465 a week earlier, an increase of about 0.2% that Drewry classified as stable. Beneath the composite, the major headhaul lanes continued to diverge: Shanghai to Los Angeles increased 2% to $7,352 per 40-foot container and Shanghai to New York rose 1% to $9,726, while Shanghai to Rotterdam fell 2% to $3,997 and Shanghai to Genoa declined 3% to $4,216. Drewry reported eight Transpacific blank sailings for next week, up from seven, and three Asia-Europe cancellations, up from one. Shanghai vessel waiting time improved from 94 hours in Week 35 to 64 hours in Week 36, while selective returns to the Suez Canal are restoring effective capacity on Asia-Europe services. Drewry expects freight rates to remain broadly stable next week despite continued Asian port congestion, carrier capacity management, Strait of Hormuz disruption and Panama Canal restrictions.
Container Rate Snapshot
The global composite remains almost unchanged, but Transpacific and Asia-Europe spot markets are moving in opposite directions.
Up only $11 from $4,465 last week, equivalent to roughly 0.2%.
Increased from $7,185 per 40ft container one week earlier.
Increased from $9,587 and remains the highest of the four major ex-Shanghai routes highlighted by Drewry.
Fell below $4,000 after registering $4,092 one week earlier.
Declined from $4,368 as Asia-Europe pricing continued to soften.
WCI Major Route Board
The September 10 release shows a firm U.S.-bound market alongside continued declines on the two principal Asia-Europe headhaul routes.
| Route | Sep. 10 | Sep. 3 | Dollar Move | Weekly Move | Capacity / Market Setting | Next-Week Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCI Composite | $4,476 per 40ft | $4,465 per 40ft | +$11 | ~ +0.2% | Gains on U.S.-bound lanes were largely offset by declines on Asia-Europe trades. | Drewry expects the overall rate environment to remain broadly stable. |
| Shanghai → Los Angeles | $7,352 | $7,185 | +$167 | ▲ 2% | Transpacific blank sailings rise to eight next week from seven this week, limiting available capacity. | Easing demand is being countered by continued carrier capacity management. |
| Shanghai → New York | $9,726 | $9,587 | +$139 | ▲ 1% | East Coast pricing remains elevated while Panama capacity and scheduling remain constrained. | Drewry expects Transpacific rates to remain stable next week. |
| Shanghai → Rotterdam | $3,997 | $4,092 | -$95 | ▼ 2% | Selective Suez returns are shortening voyages and restoring effective Asia-Europe vessel capacity. | Low demand and improving Shanghai congestion continue to restrain pricing. |
| Shanghai → Genoa | $4,216 | $4,368 | -$152 | ▼ 3% | Three Asia-Europe blank sailings are scheduled next week, compared with one this week. | Capacity withdrawals provide some support, but Drewry still sees broadly stable near-term rates. |
Weekly Container Freight Cost Impact Tool
Apply Drewry's September 10 spot-rate changes to a shipment volume and see the weekly dollar impact across major ex-Shanghai container routes.