Drewry: World Container Index up 2% this week

LONDON : Drewry’s World Container Index increased 2% to $3,986 per 40ft container this week.

Drewry’s detailed assessment for Thursday, 09 January 2025

• The Drewry WCI composite index increased 2% to $3,986 per 40ft container, 62% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 but 181% more than the average $1,420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
• The average YTD composite index is $3,946 per 40ft container, $1,079 higher than the 10-year average of $2,867 (inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 Covid period).
• Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased 13% or $647 to $5,476 per 40ft container and those from Shanghai to New York rose 10% or $640 to $7,085 per 40ft container while those from Rotterdam to Shanghai increased 1% or $6 to $522 per 40ft container. Conversely, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased 8% or $399 to $4,375 per 40ft container and those from Shanghai to Genoa fell 4% or $210 to $5,210 per 40ft container. Likewise, rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai, New York to Rotterdam, and Rotterdam to New York decreased 1% to $719, $828, and $2,698 per 40ft 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.