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Supply Chain Advisors

World Container Index - 10 Sep

For many years, World Container Index (WCI) has been the go-to, independent, global reference for index-linked contracts. If your organisation requires regional visibility/coverage beyond the eight trade lanes provided below, contact the team.

WCI remained stable, with divergent trends across Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes. See detailed commentary below.

 

Link to WeChat update 德路里| WCI连续两周持稳:跨太平洋运价上行,亚欧回落

德路里| WCI连续两周持稳:跨太平洋运价上行,亚欧回落

Drewry World Container Index (US$/40ft)

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WCI Trade Routes from Shanghai (US$/40ft)

Source: Drewry World Container Index, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

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Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 10 Sep 2026

  • The Drewry World Container Index (WCI), the benchmark widely referenced by procurement teams, remained stable at $4,476 per 40ft container for the second consecutive week.
  • On the Transpacific trade, rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 2% to $7,352 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to New York edged up 1% to $9,726 per 40ft container. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, eight blank sailings have been announced for next week, up from seven this week, indicating tighter capacity. With easing demand and continued carrier capacity management, Drewry expects freight rates to remain stable next week.  
  • On the Asia–Europe trade route, rates from Shanghai to Genoa fell 3% to $4,216 per 40ft container while they decreased 2% to $3,997 per 40ft container from Shanghai to Rotterdam. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, three blank sailings are announced for next week, up from one this week, indicating tight capacity. While congestion at Shanghai port remained elevated, it improved from 94 hours in Week 35 to 64 hours in Week 36. With low demand, persistent congestion in Asia and continued capacity management by carriers, Drewry expects rates to remain stable next week.
  • Iran–US tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Panama Canal Authority has postponed a 0.15-metre draft reduction for Neopanamax vessels, although transit restrictions remain. Carriers are supporting rates through capacity management, while congestion at Asian ports continues to disrupt schedules. Meanwhile, the selective return of services to the Suez Canal is restoring effective capacity on Asia–Europe routes, putting downwards pressure on freight rates. Early booking remains important as congestion and blank sailings can tighten capacity.

Spot freight rates by major route

Our assessment across eight major East-West trades

Source: Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

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WCI Methodology

 

Ocean spot market freight rates against 6,700 global port pairs

If you need spot market container freight rate information on other routes to those above, find out more about our Container Freight Rate Insight (CFRI) online service, which covers 6,700 global port pairs updated monthly (2,450 updated fortnightly).

 

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