Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) dropped by 7% to $2,368 per 40ft container for the week ending 13 March 2025. This marks a 77% decrease from its September 2021 pandemic peak of $10,377 and the lowest level since January 2024. However, it remains 67% higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic average of $1,420.
Photo: Dreamstime.
Year-to-date, the composite index averaged $3,205 per 40ft container, surpassing the 10-year average of $2,884, which was influenced by the exceptional market conditions between 2020 and 2022.
Freight rates saw significant declines on key routes, with Shanghai to Genoa falling 11% ($412) to $3,333 per 40ft container. Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased 8% ($260) to $2,906, while Shanghai to New York dropped 7% ($282) to $4,038. Shanghai to Rotterdam fell 5% ($124) to $2,512. In contrast, rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai, New York to Rotterdam, and Rotterdam to New York saw slight increases of 1% to $490, $854, and $2,373, respectively. Rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained unchanged.
Drewry anticipates further rate reductions in the coming weeks as shipping capacity rises. The company provides freight rate benchmarking and procurement services, offering insights into over 790 global port pairs.
Table: Drewry.
More information:
Drewry
www.drewry.co.uk