Feature, Freight News

Transpacific Rates Bottom Out, Drewry WCI Says

[ December 8, 2025   //   Gary Burrows ]

Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) rose 7 percent to US$1,927 per 40-foot container (FEU) after three weeks of decline, mainly due to rate hikes on transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.

Following three weeks of declines that pushed spot rates to their lowest level since January, rates on the transpacific head-haul finally recovered this week. Spot rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles climbed 8 percent to US$2,256 per FEU, while those to New York rose 6 percent to US$2,895.

Shifting away from traditional fortnightly adjustments, some carriers have adopted a weekly strategy for GRIs. Instead of announcing large hikes that tend to erode quickly, carriers are now introducing smaller, more frequent increases to maintain consistent upwards pressure on spot rates. This strategy appears to have been effective this week, leading Drewry to forecast stable rates in the week ahead.

Spot rates on the Shanghai-Genoa route rose 15 percent to US$2,648 per FEU container, while rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam edged up 4 percent to US$2,241 per FEU container. In contrast to the Transpacific trade route, Asia-Europe has successfully sustained rate levels for three consecutive weeks, leveraging FAK increases to support spot rates before annual contract talks begin.

The uncertainty regarding the Suez Canal is adding volatility to the Asia-Europe trade lanes since carriers continue to view the Suez as the natural route between the two regions. A full resumption of transits would return significant capacity to the market and exert downwards pressure on rates, although the effect would likely be gradual due to the possible congestion at ports following the realignment of east-west networks.