The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell 6% week-on-week to US$1,913 per FEU in Week 38, marking its 14th straight weekly decline as Japan International Freight Forwarders Association (JIFFA) reported. The index now sits 52% lower than a year ago, reflecting persistent weakness in the global container market.
Trans-Pacific rates resumed their slide, erasing the brief gains from earlier this month. Shanghai–Los Angeles spot rates dropped 4% to US$2,561 per FEU, while Shanghai–New York rates fell 5% to US$3,571 per FEU. Analysts noted that the impact of general rate increases (GRIs) and blank sailings has worn off, pulling prices back to early-September levels.
Asia–Europe lanes also saw sharp declines. Shanghai–Rotterdam rates fell 11% to US$1,910 per FEU, while Shanghai–Genoa rates dropped 9% to US$2,131 per FEU.
The simultaneous fall on both major east–west trade lanes signals that the market remains oversupplied, with carriers struggling to maintain pricing despite capacity management efforts.
