Container rates down for four straight weeks

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) continues to fall, down another seven per cent to US$1,959 per 40-ft container for the week of Feb. 2-6.

The drop marks the fourth consecutive week of declines, primarily due to a drop in rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.

Spot rates for shipping from Shanghai to major U.S. destinations have declined notably, with spot rates to Los Angeles dropping eight per cent to US$2,239 per 40-ft container and those to New York falling five per cent to US$2,819. This downwards trend highlights a significant shift in the market, as the traditional pre-Lunar New Year cargo rush, which typically bolsters demand, is failing to materialise in 2026.

In response to this weak demand ahead of factory closures, carriers have aggressively managed capacity by announcing 18, 27 and 28 blank sailings over the next three weeks, a frequency much higher than in previous years, according to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight. Drewry expects spot rates to decrease further in the coming weeks.

Spot rates on Asia–Europe trade routes continued to decline for the fourth consecutive week, with rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam dropping nine per cent to US$2,164 per 40-ft container and those on Shanghai–Genoa falling seven per cent to US$3,048.

According to Container Capacity Insight, carriers have announced nine, 16 and nine blank sailings over the next three weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year factory closures and rising market volatility.