The World Container Index released by Drewry on 18 September 2025 registered a further weekly decrease of 6% in the average across all major routes, standing at 1,913 dollars for a 40-foot container in spot maritime transport. This marks the fourteenth consecutive decline and brings the year-on-year change to minus 52%. After a brief phase in which the main trade lanes showed diverging trends, both transpacific and Asia–Europe services are now aligned in a downward trajectory, albeit at varying intensities.
On the transpacific route, spot rates have resumed their fall, returning to early September levels. The Shanghai–Los Angeles service dropped 4% to 2,561 dollars per 40-foot container, while Shanghai–New York fell 5% to 3,571 dollars. The temporary support provided by general rate increases and cancelled sailings has proven insufficient, with prices retreating once again.
Asia–Europe routes saw steeper declines. Shanghai–Rotterdam fell 11% to 1,910 dollars per container, a level representing a 59% annual decrease. Shanghai–Genoa dropped 9% to 2,131 dollars, down 57% compared with a year ago. This trend reflects the difficulty shipowners face in absorbing the capacity growth generated by new vessel deliveries in a context of weak demand.
Other routes recorded more contained or stable movements. Rotterdam–Shanghai held steady at 457 dollars, unchanged week-on-week but 24% lower year-on-year. Los Angeles–Shanghai was flat at 721 dollars, with a modest annual rise of 1%. New York–Rotterdam slipped 1% to 847 dollars, though still 19% higher than last year, while Rotterdam–New York was down 1% on the week to 1,926 dollars, representing a 6% annual decline.
With China’s Golden Week starting on 1 October, the number of cancelled sailings is rising, and Drewry analysts expect further downward pressure on rates. According to the Container Forecaster, the supply-demand balance will weaken again in the second half of 2025, leading to additional contractions in spot prices. The timing and intensity of these shifts will also depend on the potential introduction of new US tariffs on Chinese goods and the sanctions announced against vessels flying the Chinese flag, factors that remain uncertain.
