The composite weekly World Container Index published by Drewry, which tracks average spot container shipping rates, remained stable at 1,852 dollars per 40-foot container as of 20 November 2025, compared with 1,859 dollars the previous week. This stability, however, masks a sharp year-on-year reduction, with a 46% decline according to the WCI report of 20 November 2025. Drewry also notes that the current flat trend reflects a balance between falling transpacific rates and rising Asia–Europe connections.
Asia–Europe traffic recorded its sixth consecutive week of rate increases. The Shanghai–Rotterdam link rose by 8% to reach 2,193 dollars, while the route to Genoa increased by 6% to 2,319 dollars. On an annual basis, the contraction remains significant, at 46% and 49% respectively, but the trend indicates a gradual strengthening in demand. Drewry observes that carriers are trying to consolidate this momentum by introducing new Fak rates ranging from 3,100 to 4,000 dollars from 1 December, ahead of the annual contract renewal season. The move underscores their intention to sustain price increases in a context of potential capacity constraints on routes used as alternatives to the Suez Canal.
Transpacific traffic, by contrast, shows a marked weakening for the second week in a row. Rates on the Shanghai–New York route fell by 10% to 2,922 dollars, while those to Los Angeles dropped by 7% to 2,172 dollars. The year-on-year comparison remains negative at 44% and 52% respectively. Drewry reports in its Container Capacity Insight that blank sailings on the transpacific route will decrease next week, increasing available capacity. In a context of weak demand, this could further soften rates in the short term.
Backhaul routes remain stable, with levels reflecting a market characterised by low volumes and abundant capacity. The Rotterdam–Shanghai route stays at 460 dollars, unchanged week on week and down 11% compared with 2024. Los Angeles–Shanghai is steady at 718 dollars, an annual decline of 1%, with increasingly limited variations suggesting that the market has reached a level close to its structural minimum.
Transatlantic traffic maintains dynamics largely independent of Asian flows. The New York–Rotterdam leg rose by 2% to 903 dollars, making it the only route showing year-on-year growth (+14%). In the opposite direction, Rotterdam–New York reached 1,655 dollars, up 1% week on week but down 38% compared with 2024. This asymmetry points to relatively stronger demand for exports from the United States to Europe.
According to Drewry’s latest Container Forecaster, the supply–demand balance is expected to weaken over the coming quarters, especially if transits through the Suez Canal return to normal. An increase in available capacity could influence carriers’ pricing strategies, creating downward pressure particularly on routes most exposed to the global reallocation of capacity.
