After thirteen consecutive weeks of decline, average spot container freight rates between Asia and Europe are rising again, pushing up Drewry's World Container Index. In its assessment on Thursday 15 October 2026, the composite index rose 3% to $4,485 per 40-foot container, compared with $4,351 a week earlier and $4,434 on 1 October.
The largest percentage increase was recorded on the Shanghai–Genoa route, where freight rates rose 7% to $3,945 per FEU. Elsewhere in Europe, Shanghai–Rotterdam rates increased 6% to $3,522. The recovery comes as available shipping capacity expands. According to Drewry's Container Capacity Insight, carriers have announced two blank sailings on the route for next week, compared with six this week, while vessels returning to the Suez Canal are adding further capacity. Drewry therefore expects rates to remain stable over the coming days.
Trends on the transpacific are mixed. The Shanghai–Los Angeles rate rose 3% to $7,884, while Shanghai–New York fell 1% to $10,075, although it remains the most expensive route covered by the index. Capacity is unchanged in this market, with six blank sailings scheduled for next week, the same number as this week. According to Drewry, rates are being supported by continued strong US import demand, and the consultancy expects lower volatility next week.
Movements were more limited on return routes to Asia: Rotterdam–Shanghai rose 2% to $639, while Los Angeles–Shanghai increased 3% to $833. On the Atlantic, New York–Rotterdam gained 2% to $1,130, while the opposite direction fell 1% to $3,075. Year on year, the composite index is up 166%. The largest increase compared with a year earlier was recorded on Shanghai–Los Angeles (+259%), followed by Shanghai–New York (+211%). On European routes, rates have risen 117% to Genoa and 111% to Rotterdam.
Drewry attributes the rebound in east–west markets to the recovery in cargo flows following China's Golden Week and warns shippers to expect rate fluctuations as demand recovers after the holiday period, carriers adjust capacity and geopolitical uncertainty persists. On Asia–Europe routes, shipping lines are seeking to introduce freight-all-kinds (FAK) rates of between $4,500 and $4,800 per FEU from 19 October, although Drewry remains uncertain whether these increases will take hold. The lower end of the proposed range is $555 above this week's Shanghai–Genoa rate and $978 above the Shanghai–Rotterdam rate.
M.G.
