Drewry’s World Container Index increased by 2% to US$3986 per 40-foot container this week, continuing several weeks of increases.
The current index is 62% below the previous pandemic peak of US$10,377 in September 2021, but 181% more than the average US$1420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
The average YTD composite index is US$3946 per 40-foot container, US$1079 higher than the 10-year average of US$2867 (inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 Covid period).
Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased 13% or US$647 to US$5476 per 40-foot container and those from Shanghai to New York rose 10% or US$640 to US$7085 per 40-foot container while those from Rotterdam to Shanghai increased 1% or US$6 to US$522 per 40-foot container.
Conversely, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased 8% or US$399 to US$4375 per 40-foot container and those from Shanghai to Genoa fell 4% or US$210 to US$5210 per 40-foot container.
Likewise, rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai, New York to Rotterdam, and Rotterdam to New York decreased 1% to US$719, US$828, and US$2698 per 40-foot container, respectively.
The ILA and USMX have reached a tentative agreement, averting a looming port strike in January.
Nonetheless, Drewry expects rates on the Transpacific trade to rise in the coming week, driven by front-loading ahead of the anticipated tariff hikes under the incoming Trump Administration.
