Drewry WCI Rises to $4,500 as Transpacific Rates Jump and Asia-Europe Slides
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Drewry’s World Container Index increased 1% to $4,500 per 40-foot container in its September 17 assessment, with sharply different movements across the major east-west trades. Shanghai-to-Los Angeles rates climbed 5% to $7,712, while Shanghai-to-New York rose 7% to $10,394 as carriers reduced capacity ahead of China’s Golden Week. Asia-Europe rates moved in the opposite direction: Shanghai-to-Genoa fell 5% to $4,016 and Shanghai-to-Rotterdam dropped 9% to $3,626. Drewry said the divergence between the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades has now continued for seven consecutive weeks. Nine Transpacific blank sailings are scheduled for next week, up from eight this week, while Asia-Europe cancellations rise from one to four. Shanghai waiting times also increased from 65 hours in Week 36 to 78 hours in Week 37.
One Index, Two Very Different Markets
Transpacific spot rates are climbing into China's Golden Week shipping window while Asia-Europe rates continue to retreat as additional Suez capacity returns and demand remains softer.
September 17 Freight Rate Board
The composite index conceals a widening gap between U.S.-bound container pricing and the Asia-Europe market.
| Index / Lane | 17 Sep Rate | 10 Sep Rate | Weekly Move | Current Market Signal | Drewry Forward View |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drewry WCI Composite | GLOBAL BENCHMARK $4,500 / 40ft | $4,476 / 40ft | +$24 · +1% rounded | Higher Transpacific pricing outweighed declining Asia-Europe rates, leaving the headline index only modestly higher. | Direction remains split by trade rather than moving as a single global market. |
| Shanghai → Los Angeles | UP $7,712 | $7,352 | +$360 · +5% | U.S. West Coast spot pricing continues to firm as carriers manage capacity ahead of Golden Week. | Drewry expects Transpacific pricing to rise slightly again next week. |
| Shanghai → New York | UP $10,394 | $9,726 | +$668 · +7% | The U.S. East Coast remains the most expensive of Drewry's four headline Shanghai headhaul routes. | Golden Week shipments and capacity management are expected to maintain upward pressure. |
| Shanghai → Genoa | DOWN $4,016 | $4,216 | -$200 · -5% | Mediterranean pricing is weakening despite additional blank sailings being announced. | Drewry expects Asia-Europe rates to decline slightly next week as demand remains weak. |
| Shanghai → Rotterdam | DOWN $3,626 | $3,997 | -$371 · -9% | North Europe recorded the steepest percentage decline among the four headline Shanghai routes. | Additional effective capacity from gradual Suez service restoration is contributing to downward pressure. |
WCI Weekly Shipment Cost Analyzer
Apply Drewry's latest weekly lane changes to an actual shipment program and see how much the September 17 move changes container freight spend.
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