Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 6% this week

LONDON: For many years, World Container Index has been the go-to, independent, global reference for index-linked contracts.

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 6% to $2,119 per 40ft container this week. 

Drewry’s detailed assessment for Thursday, 28 Aug 2025

• Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) declined for the 11th consecutive week, and we expect it to continue falling in the coming weeks. The unpredictability began after US tariffs were announced in April, which caused rates to surge from May through early June, but they plunged thereafter until mid-July and continued to decline till this week.
• Transpacific spot rates fell this week, as rates on Shanghai–Los Angeles fell 3% ($2,332/feu) and those on Shanghai–New York reduced 5% ($3,291/feu). The phase of accelerated purchasing by US retailers, which induced an early peak season, has ended. In response to a decelerating US economy and increased tariff costs, they are now scaling back on procurement but at a measured pace. Hence, Drewry expects rates on this trade lane to continue declining in the coming weeks.
• Asia–Europe spot rates fell this week, as rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam reduced 10% ($2,661/feu) and on Shanghai–Genoa slid 5% ($2,842/feu). Despite healthy demand and port delays in Europe, a growing surplus of vessel capacity has been pushing down spot rates on this trade lane. Therefore, Drewry predicts a further decline in spot rates in the coming weeks.
• Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken again in 2H25, which will cause spot rates to contract. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on Trump’s future tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.