The latest weekly assessment of average spot container shipping rates released by Drewry on 27 November 2025 indicates a generalised downturn across the main routes, driven mostly by transpacific services and Asia–Europe trades. The only area moving against the trend is the transatlantic corridor, which is recording slight increases. The trend reflects a balance between weak demand, rising capacity and renewed operational pressure in North European ports.
The composite World Container Index, which covers all routes, has dropped to 1,806 dollars per 40-foot container, down 2% from 1,852 dollars on 20 November. On an annual basis, the decline reaches 46%. Drewry attributes this movement mainly to falling rates on transpacific and Asia–Europe routes, while noting a modest level of stability on transatlantic services.
On routes from China to Europe, after six consecutive weeks of increases, rates have returned to negative territory. Shanghai–Rotterdam is down 1% to 2,165 dollars per feu, while the service to Genoa stands at 2,300 dollars, also down 1%. Compared with the same period in 2024, the decline reaches 46% on the first route and 49% on the second. Drewry reports that carriers are attempting to lift market levels by raising fak rates to between 3,100 and 4,000 dollars per 40-foot container from 1 December. The goal is to support prices in the weeks preceding the start of annual contract negotiations. On the return leg, Rotterdam–Shanghai falls by 2% to 451 dollars, a 13% drop over the past year.
China–United States routes are experiencing the most pronounced decreases. Shanghai–New York is down 6% to 2,735 dollars, while the service to Los Angeles falls 4% to 2,089 dollars. According to Drewry, this is the third consecutive week of declines on transpacific services. Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight indicates that blank sailings in the area are likely to decrease the following week, with an increase in available capacity. In this environment, Drewry anticipates a further slight fall in rates. On the return leg, Los Angeles–Shanghai remains stable at 720 dollars, unchanged both week on week and year on year.
The transatlantic corridor shows a different pattern. Rotterdam–New York rises by 1% to 1,664 dollars, although the annual balance remains at –38%. On the return leg, New York–Rotterdam climbs to 925 dollars, with a weekly increase of 2% and an annual rise of 17%, the only positive annual figure across the entire basket. The trend also appears linked to shifts in capacity allocation, with more stable demand compared with Asian trades.
Operational pressures are adding to freight rate dynamics. Drewry notes that the national strike in Belgium has slowed port operations and increased congestion in Antwerp. Conditions may deteriorate in the short term, as some carriers are planning a return to the Suez Canal after months of rerouting around Africa. An increase in traffic through this corridor risks putting additional pressure on port efficiency and generating further delays, with potential knock-on effects on spot rates.
In the medium term, Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the balance between supply and demand to weaken over the coming quarters, particularly if Suez Canal transits return to normal. Rising available capacity, combined with persistently weak demand, could create additional downward pressure on rates across the main global container shipping trades.
