Global Container Spot Rates Jump 9% as Transpacific, Asia-Europe Trades Tighten

Global container freight rates continued their upward climb this week as tightening capacity and strong seasonal demand pushed prices higher across the key east-west trade lanes.

According to the latest Drewry World Container Index (WCI), the composite index rose 9% to $4,530 per 40-foot container, driven by gains on both the Transpacific and Asia-Europe routes.

The strongest increases came on the Transpacific, where spot rates from Shanghai to New York climbed 11% to $7,902 per FEU, while rates to Los Angeles rose 10% to $6,349 per FEU.

Drewry said capacity remains constrained, with eight blank sailings scheduled on the Transpacific next week, according to its