Drewry: World Container Index Down 6% Last Week

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Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 6% to $2,629 per 40ft container this week.

Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 27 February 2025

• The Drewry WCI composite index decreased 6% to $2,629 per 40ft container, 75% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 and lowest since May 2024. However, the index was 85% higher than the average $1,420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
• The average YTD composite index is $3,372 per 40ft container, $489 higher than the 10-year average of $2,882 (inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 Covid period).
• Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased 11% or $411 to $3,477 per 40ft container, closely followed by the rates on Shanghai to New York which decreased 10% or $533 to $4,593 per 40ft container. Likewise, rates from Shanghai to Genoa fell 2% or $90 to $3,747 per 40ft container and those from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Rotterdam to New York reduced 1% to $2,586 and $2,374 per 40ft container, respectively. On the other hand, rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai and New York to Rotterdam increased 1% to $503 and $835 per 40ft container, respectively. Meanwhile, rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained stable. Drewry expects rates to continue to decrease next week due to increased shipping capacity.
  Source: Drewry