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Supply Chain Advisors
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World Container Index - 26 Feb
For many years, World Container Index (WCI) 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 1% to $1,899 per 40ft container this week.
Drewry World Container Index (US$/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, 26 Feb 2026
- The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell 1% to $1,899 per 40ft container for the seventh consecutive week due to a decrease in rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.
- Spot rates on Asia–Europe trade routes continued to decline, with rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam falling 1% to $2,094 per 40ft container and those on Shanghai–Genoa dropping 2% to $2,826. Volumes typically rebound in March as factories across Asia reopen, but rates are expected to remain under pressure due to rising capacity. Hence, we expect spot rates on this trade to soften in the coming weeks.
- Spot rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased 1% to $2,191, while those on Shanghai to New York remained stable at $2,771 per 40ft container. According to Container Capacity Insight, 9 blank sailings have been announced for the next week on the Transpacific East and West Coast trade lanes, lower than this week, as factories gradually return to full production after CNY. Hence, Drewry expects spot rates on this trade to remain stable next week.
- The Trump administration is exploring alternative measures to reinstate tariffs after the US Supreme Court ruled last April’s tariffs illegal, including an immediate 10% global tariff with plans to increase it to 15%, signalling policy uncertainty.
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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What our clients say about Benchmarking Club
“Drewry is a great resource for market insights, rate indices, and guidance on overall market conditions. Our partnership with Drewry has proven advantageous to our business by helping us establish best practices, refine our contracts and benchmark among the best in the industry.”
Director Global Logistics, Bissell Homecare, Inc.
“Drewry benchmarking [service] has provided us with the insights… to understand how we are positioned, especially important given the volatile and potentially irrational nature of the container marketplace.”
Anonymous, Global home furnishings business
“Drewry’s regular analysis and benchmarking tools help keep us informed on both our own freight rates as well as broader trends in the market. Their insights, reporting and forecasting capabilities truly support our strategic decision making.”
Peter Smith, Global Trade and Commercial Manager, Cotton-On Group
“We selected Drewry’s Benchmarking Club to benchmark our ocean rates with other retail industry leaders and to gain insight into container shipping market trends, forecasts and best practices through webinars provided to Club members by Drewry.”
Logistics Manager, Leading global electronics and home entertainment brand
“Drewry’s Benchmarking Club has made industry rate data and expertise readily accessible. We successfully leveraged their industry knowledge in our annual ocean carrier contract negotiations and continue to do so when evaluating changes to our organization’s sourcing strategies.”
Fortune 100, International US-Headquartered retail brand
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Logistics Director, US FMCG Company
“Drewry has been very helpful to us in benchmarking our shipping costs and in developing strategies to improve our shipping efficiency and cost effectiveness.”
Head of Exports, Del Monte (Philippines)
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Ocean Strategy Manager, Leading US-based Pharmaceutical Company
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