Drewry WCI inches up, container freight rates jump 59% in 4 weeks

Fibre2Fashion

a day ago

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI)—a composite measure of container freight rates—edged up by 0.45 per cent to $3,543 per 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU) on June 12, rising from $3,527 per FEU the previous week. The index has surged 59 per cent over the past four weeks, as President Donald Trump's 'pause' on import tariffs led to the resumption of US-bound traffic following the initial collapse in Transpacific volumes.
Freight rates from Shanghai to New York rose by 2 per cent to $7,285 per 40ft container over the past week and by 67 per cent since May 15. Meanwhile, spot rates to Los Angeles increased by 1 per cent over the week and by 89 per cent over the past four weeks. Prices on the Transpacific eastbound route changed marginally amid a fresh injection of capacity.
Drewry WCI rose 0.45 per cent to $3,543 per FEU on June 12, marking a 59 per cent increase in four weeks. Transpacific rates surged as US-bound traffic resumed following President Trump's pause on import tariffs. Rates to New York and Los Angeles rose sharply, while those to Europe remained stable. However, Drewry forecasts a rate decline in H2 2025 amid uncertain tariff policies and capacity shifts.
Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa remained stable during the past week, at $2,837 and $4,054 per 40ft container, respectively.
The recent sharp, short-term strengthening in the global container shipping supply-demand balance has reversed the declining rate trend that began in January.
However, Drewry's Container Forecaster predicts the supply-demand balance will weaken again in the second half of 2025, likely leading to a decline in spot rates. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump's tariffs and on capacity adjustments linked to the introduction of US penalties on Chinese ships—both of which remain uncertain.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)