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World Container Index - 23 Apr
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.
Spot rates slip again as the market remains under pressure.
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, 23 April 2026
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) declined for the second consecutive week, down 1% to $2,232 per 40ft container, driven by lower rates on the Asia–Europe trade route. Despite higher fuel costs and earlier announced war-risk surcharges due to ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, carriers are struggling to sustain rate increases amid weak demand.
Spot rates on the Transatlantic trade route increased in double digits this week. Although rates on this lane are typically stable, they have been rising since the end of March. Freight rates on the Transatlantic route increased 15% to $2,326 per 40ft container, driven by capacity reductions and the implementation of $1,100 per 40ft container PSS by carriers, effective 15 April.
Spot rates on the Asia–Europe trade route declined this week despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, driven by weak seasonal demand and excess capacity. Rates from Shanghai to Genoa fell 8% to $3,071 per 40ft container, while rates to Rotterdam decreased 4% to $2,147 per 40ft container. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, carriers have announced only three blank sailings for next week on the Asia–Europe trade route, indicating not much reduction in effective capacity.
In contrast, Transpacific rates rose this week, driven by carrier capacity reductions to counter seasonal demand softness. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, nine blank sailings have been announced for next week to manage higher capacity. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 4% to $2,934 per 40ft container, while rates from Shanghai to New York remained stable at $3,562 per 40ft container. Drewry expects freight rates to remain relatively less volatile in the next week.Ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt operations around the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in constrained conditions and limited vessel movement in the region. Although bunker fuel prices remain elevated compared to pre-conflict levels, they have eased from recent highs. As a result, fuel-related cost pressures persist but are not sufficient to offset the broader downward pressure on freight rates driven by weak demand.
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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