DREWRY'S World Container Index decreased for the fourth consecutive week, dropping a further 7% to $1,959 per 40ft container, primarily due to a drop in rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.
Source: Drewry World Container Index
Spot rates for shipping from Shanghai to major US destinations have declined notably, with spot rates to Los Angeles dropping 8% to $2,239 per 40ft container and those to New York falling 5% to $2,819. This downwards trend highlights a significant shift in the market, as the traditional pre-Lunar New Year cargo rush—which typically bolsters demand—is failing to materialise in 2026.
In response to this weak demand ahead of factory closures, carriers have aggressively managed capacity by announcing 18, 27 and 28 blank sailings over the next three weeks, a frequency much higher than in previous years, according to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight. Hence, we expect spot rates to decrease further in the coming weeks.
Source: Drewry World Container Index
Spot rates on Asia–Europe trade routes continued to decline for the fourth consecutive week, with rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam dropping 9% to $2,164 per 40ft container and those on Shanghai–Genoa falling 7% to $3,048. According to Container Capacity Insight, carriers have announced 9, 16 and 9 blank sailings over the next three weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year factory closures and rising market volatility. Drewry expects spot rates to decrease further in the coming weeks.