During the first week of 2025, the composite World Container Index (which aggregates all recorded routes), published by Drewry on 8 May, recorded a weekly drop of 1 per cent, settling at 2,076 US dollars per 40-foot container. The figure reflects a general slowdown in freight rates across several trade lanes, particularly those between Asia and Europe, while connections with North America are showing upward signs.
On the Asia-Europe front, the Shanghai–Rotterdam route fell by 7 per cent, a reduction of 156 dollars, with the weekly rate set at 2,046 dollars. The Shanghai–Genoa connection also weakened, falling by 4 per cent to a final rate of 2,766 dollars per container. On the transatlantic side, the rate from New York to Rotterdam dropped by 3 per cent to 814 dollars, while the reverse route, from Rotterdam to New York, experienced the same negative variation, reaching 1,972 dollars. A slight contraction also occurred on the Rotterdam–Shanghai lane, down 2 per cent to 457 dollars per container.
Routes from Asia to the United States showed a sharp contrast. The Shanghai–Los Angeles rate increased by 5 per cent, gaining 123 dollars to reach 2,713 dollars. The rise was even more pronounced on the Shanghai–New York route, which grew by 4 per cent, or 146 dollars, for a total of 3,646 dollars. The return leg from Los Angeles to Shanghai also posted a modest increase of 2 per cent, with the updated rate now standing at 706 dollars.
According to Drewry’s forecasts, freight rates could become less volatile in the coming weeks, as shipping lines adjust capacity in response to declining cargo bookings out of China. The ongoing stabilisation phase suggests that the market may be finding a new balance after months of significant fluctuations and structural reorganisations.
