The downward trend in average spot rates for container transport extended into the second week of February 2025. Figures released by Drewry’s World Container Index on 13 February indicate a contraction of the composite index, which represents the average of all routes, by five per cent. When examining individual routes, varying figures emerge. The most significant percentage decline was recorded on the Shanghai-Rotterdam route, where an eight per cent weekly drop brought the feu rate below three thousand dollars, settling at 2,887 dollars. A similar percentage decrease was observed on the Shanghai-Los Angeles route, where rates fell by seven per cent to 4,392 dollars. A notable drop also occurred between Shanghai and New York, where rates declined by five per cent to 5,874 dollars.
Meanwhile, the weekly reduction in rates on the Shanghai-Genoa route was more moderate, decreasing by two per cent to 4,163 dollars per feu. Transatlantic routes remained stable, with the rate between New York and Rotterdam falling by just one dollar to 832 dollars per feu, while in the opposite direction, the rate declined by six dollars, also reaching 832 dollars. The rates for shipments bound for Shanghai showed minimal variation: a decrease of two dollars per feu (496 dollars) from Rotterdam and a four-dollar reduction (703 dollars) from Los Angeles. Drewry anticipates that the decline will persist in the coming weeks.
