In the week ending 25 December 2025, Drewry’s World Container Index reported a broadly stable composite index for spot container freight rates, with a 1% increase to reach 2,213 dollars per 40-foot container. According to Drewry’s weekly analysis, this represents the fourth consecutive increase, driven mainly by modest rises in spot rates on transpacific routes and, above all, on Asia–Europe services. On a year-on-year basis, however, the composite index remains 23% lower, confirming average freight levels well below those seen at the end of 2024. Drewry highlights that year-end dynamics are taking on more structural characteristics, with sustained volumes also recorded in December.
On the Asia–Europe routes, the strengthening of freight rates appears more pronounced. The Shanghai–Genoa trade recorded a weekly increase of 3%, rising to 3,427 dollars per 40-foot container, up 113 dollars compared with the previous week. The Shanghai–Rotterdam route also saw a weekly rise of 2%, reaching 2,584 dollars, an increase of 45 dollars over seven days.
Drewry notes that spot rates on Asia–Europe routes have remained stable or increased for four consecutive weeks. This trend is attributed to a shift in seasonal patterns: over the past three years, the research house has observed double-digit month-on-month demand growth in December, consolidating high year-end volumes as a new market norm. This is compounded by advance bookings ahead of the Lunar New Year, scheduled for February 2026, which are already influencing carriers’ pricing strategies. In this context, Drewry expects further modest increases in freight rates in the following week.
The picture is different on transpacific routes. After the strong double-digit rise recorded in the previous week, spot rates from Shanghai to the United States remained broadly stable. The Shanghai–Los Angeles service stood at 2,481 dollars per 40-foot container, with week-on-week movement close to zero and a technical increase of just 7 dollars. The Shanghai–New York route showed a similar trend, holding at 3,302 dollars, with a weekly rise of 9 dollars. Backhaul flows also confirm a stable environment, with the Los Angeles–Shanghai rate unchanged at 712 dollars, showing no weekly variation.
On the transatlantic trade, the Rotterdam–New York route recorded a slight weekly increase of 1%, rising to 1,652 dollars, up 10 dollars, while the New York–Rotterdam service remained broadly stable at 962 dollars.
