Container rates tick upward for Christmas

The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) rose one per cent to US$2,213 per 40-ft container for the week of Dec. 22-26, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase, mainly due to rate hikes on Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.

Spot rates on the Shanghai–Genoa increased three per cent to US$3,427 per 40-ft container, while those on the Shanghai–Rotterdam were up two per cent to US$2,584. Spot rates on the Asia–Europe trade route have maintained stable or rising rate levels for four consecutive weeks. This strength is driven by a shift in seasonal patterns.

Over the last three years, Drewry has recorded a double-digit month-over-month demand growth in December, establishing strong year-end volumes as the ‘new normal’. As carriers are already recording early bookings ahead of the impending Lunar New Year in February 2026, Drewry expects further slight rate increases next week.

Following last week’s double-digit rise, spot rates from Shanghai to New York and Shanghai to Los Angeles held steady this week. Drewry expects Transpacific rates to remain stable in the next week.