The index was 68 per cent below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 but was 137 per cent higher than the average of $1,420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell by 2.35 per cent to $3,364 per FEU as of January 30, 2025, driven down by the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.
Despite being 68 per cent below the 2021 peak, it remains well above pre-pandemic levels.
Rates between major ports fluctuated, with some declining and others rising slightly.
Drewry anticipates a modest decrease in rates.
The average year-to-date composite index is $3,711 per 40ft container, $835 higher than the 10-year average of $2,876 (inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 COVID period).
The freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased by 5 per cent or $160 to $3,274 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to Genoa fell by 4 per cent or $162 to $4,400 per 40ft container. Similarly, rates from Rotterdam to New York were reduced by 2 per cent or $46 to $2,732 per 40ft container, followed by rates from Shanghai to New York and Shanghai to Los Angeles, which decreased by 1 per cent to $6,288 and $4,771 per 40ft container, respectively.
Conversely, spot rates from New York to Rotterdam increased by 2 per cent or $18 to $839 per 40ft container, and rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai rose by 1 per cent or $3 to $518 per 40ft container. Meanwhile, rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained stable.
Drewry expects spot rates to decrease slightly in the coming week due to an increase in capacity.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
