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The Drewry World Container Index (WCI), a widely used reference by procurement teams to track the evolution of maritime transport rates, increased by 1% to USD 4,500 per 40-foot container in the week of September 17, 2026.
The increase was mainly driven by rising rates on Trans-Pacific routes, in a context marked by shipping lines' capacity management prior to China's Golden Week.
On the Trans-Pacific route, freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by 5%, to USD 7,712 per 40-foot container, while services from Shanghai to New York rose by 7%, reaching USD 10,394.
Shipping lines are managing capacity by canceling services, known as blank sailings, ahead of Golden Week. According to Drewry, nine blank sailings have been announced for next week, compared to eight during the current week, indicating lower capacity availability.
Given the increase in demand prior to Golden Week and the continued capacity management measures by shipping lines, Drewry expects Trans-Pacific rates to increase slightly over the next week.
Asia-Europe
On the Asia-Europe route, the behavior was different. Rates from Shanghai to Genoa decreased by 5%, to USD 4,016 per 40-foot container, while the value of transport from Shanghai to Rotterdam fell by 9%, settling at USD 3,626.
Drewry reported that four blank sailings have been announced for next week on this route, compared to only one during the current week, which also reflects capacity management by shipping lines.
In addition, waiting times in Shanghai increased from 65 hours during week 36 to 78 hours in week 37.
Despite adjusted capacity and persistent congestion in Asia, Drewry projects a slight decrease in Asia-Europe rates over the next week, as demand continues to be weak.
Uncertainty
Drewry noted that the container shipping market on East-West routes continues to be marked by uncertainty.
While Trans-Pacific rates are receiving support from pre-Golden Week demand and shipping lines' capacity management, rates between Asia and Europe face downward pressure due to the gradual return of services through the Suez Canal and relatively weak demand.
The consultancy also warned that new security risks around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb could affect the pace of service restoration via Suez.
Likewise, potential port strikes in Germany could increase congestion and cause disruptions to itineraries in Northern Europe.
In the coming weeks, congestion in Asian ports and demand behavior prior to China's Golden Week will continue to be relevant factors for market evolution.
