First introduced in 2006, Container Freight Rate Insight is an indispensable online reference for importers, exporters, freight forwarders and other stakeholders requiring up-to-date, independently researched ocean freight rates and freight cost benchmarks. Alongside our World Container Index, the service provides a popular and robust reference for index linked contracts, which we can also help you develop.
API access (including CFRI service) is available for a fixed annual fee of $12,000 which covers set-up and configuration.
We are the only global provider of verified, like-for-like spot freight rate benchmarks drawing on a stable panel of buyers (~30 freight forwarders and NVOCCs) who provide us with their ’buy rates’ and market data which we use to calculate monthly and weekly average spot rates, ensuring continuity and comparability of data.
Exclusive Spot Rate Forecasting service: Subscribers to this service can now request customised monthly or bi-monthly spot rate forecasts against the port pairs they are most interested in. Price on application.
As well as the Container Freight Rate Insight, spot market freight rate service we also offer:
Membership of Benchmarking Club includes a subscription to this service (CFRI).
For shippers/BCOs
Container Freight Rate Insight provides rates that are actually being paid by other companies on the route(s) that interest you. While Drewry cannot disclose specific company information for confidentiality reasons, the aggregated pricing information provides a benchmark against which you can test the success of your freight rate negotiations. It also provides informed analysis and a view on the short-term outlook for freight rates.
NB The service does not include container freight rate forecasts, but we are able to provide these to you as a custom service contact a member of our team for further information.
For freight forwarders and NVOCCs
The Container Freight Rate Insight will help in your rate negotiations with clients by providing independent evidence of changes (increases or decreases) in market rates.
For carriers
The Container Freight Rate Insight will enable you to benchmark your average rates on specific port pairs against the latest forwarder market buy rates. These cover business with multiple carriers and are indicative of average market rates. The benchmarks will also provide market intelligence for studies on new routes or ports.
For financial and market analysts
Both individual freight rate benchmarks and aggregate indexes published in the Container Freight Rate Insight will enable you to promptly track changes in the market and identify key pricing indicators of the health of the container shipping industry.
NB: There is a 50 port pair download limit per month to access historical freight rates. But there is no such limitation for downloading current freight rate data (covering the most recent four-month period).
Drewry Benchmarking Club goes beyond the spot market intelligence provided by Container Freight Rate Insight (CFRI) and allows members to confidentially benchmark their contract shipping costs against their peers – based on genuine, shipper-only, buy-rate comparisons.
Contact us at supplychains@drewry.co.uk for a demonstration of the new platform to learn more about the various membership packages available. Please note, membership is exclusive to shippers only (importers and exporters) - not freight forwarders, carriers or NVOCCs.
© Copyright 2025 | Drewry Shipping Consultants Limited. All Rights Reserved. Website Terms of Use | Privacy Policy