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World Container Index - 02 Oct

For many years, World Container Index has been the go-to, independent, global reference for index-linked contracts. If your organisation is considering index-linked contracts or requires regional visibility/coverage beyond the eight trade lanes provided below, contact our ocean freight cost benchmarking team.

 

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 5% to $1,669 per 40ft container this week. 

 

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, 02 Oct 2025

  • The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell 5% to $1,669 per 40ft container, marking the 16th consecutive weekly decline and reaching the lowest level since January 2024.

  • Spot rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased 5% to $2,196 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to New York decreased 2% to $3,200 per 40ft container. 

  • Asia–Europe spot rates fell this week again, reducing for the 10th consecutive week— declined 7% ($1,613 per 40ft container) on Shanghai–Rotterdam and 9% ($1,804 per 40ft container) on Shanghai–Genoa. 

  • Carriers are increasing blank sailings and reducing capacity to align with slowing demand ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday when factories will be shut for eight days from 1 October. As a result, East–West spot rates are expected to decrease in the coming weeks.

  • Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken in the next few quarters, which will cause spot rates to contract.

Spot freight rates by major route

Our assessment across eight major East-West trades

Source: Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

 

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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