Drewry WCI Freight Index Falls 3% on Transpacific Weakness
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Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) posted a weekly decline of 3%, settling at USD 4,429 per 40-foot container, after two consecutive weeks of increases. The pullback was driven mainly by lower rates on the transpacific routes.
Transpacific routes
Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles fell 6%, to USD 7,514 per 40-foot container, while those from Shanghai to New York dropped 5%, to USD 9,631 per unit. Drewry linked this moderation to the slowdown in U.S. demand for seaborne imports, in line with the forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF), which anticipates an 11% monthly decline in imported volumes during November.
Capacity management
To manage supply, carriers announced six blank sailings on transpacific routes for next week, compared with five this week. On Asia-Europe services, four cancellations were scheduled, down from eight in the current week. Drewry expects transpacific rates to keep falling, while Asia-Europe rates are likely to remain stable.
Asia-Europe and outlook
On routes to Europe, freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 1%, to USD 3,686 per container, while those from Shanghai to Genoa held steady at USD 4,151. Carriers are preparing FAK rate increases for November, although Drewry warned of uncertainty over their sustainability given weak demand. The Maritime Strategies International (MSI) report cited by Mundo Marítimo anticipates a partial convergence of rates between routes in November and December, with declines on the Transpacific and temporary stability on Asia-Europe before an eventual pullback.
Geopolitical and operational factors
The report noted that transits through the Suez Canal reached 62 vessels in the past week, the highest figure of 2026, while disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz limited passage to just two vessels. In Asia, congestion at the Port of Shanghai was beginning to ease, although the possible arrival of Typhoon Champi could reverse that improvement. Drewry concluded that weak demand, carriers' capacity management, potential surcharges, and the evolution of U.S. trade policy will continue to shape rates in the coming weeks.
