Drewry’s weekly composite WCI index of average spot container shipping rates, released on 13 November 2025, recorded a 5% drop to 1,859 dollars per 40-foot container, ending a four-week run of consecutive increases. This figure covers all the routes monitored by Drewry, but a closer look at individual trades reveals significant differences.
The analysis shows a decline on transpacific routes, where US importers have already completed arrivals linked to the holiday season, pushing rates down after the brief stability ensured by the latest General Rate Increases applied by carriers. Drewry reports that rates from China to the US west coast fell by 12% in a single week to 2,328 dollars per feu, while those to New York dropped by as much as 15% to 3,254 dollars.
On services from Asia to Europe, Drewry instead notes a 4% increase on Shanghai–Genoa, reaching 2,193 dollars, and a 3% rise on Shanghai–Rotterdam, which climbed to 2,028 dollars. The analysis suggests that carriers are attempting to support rates by introducing new FAK surcharges ranging between 3,000 and 3,650 dollars per container from 15 November, with the aim of strengthening spot levels ahead of the annual contract negotiation season. Despite these efforts, the year-on-year change for both routes remains negative at 50%.
On transatlantic trades, the picture remains uneven. The New York–Rotterdam service rose by 2% week on week to 884 dollars, standing as the only route to show annual growth, up 13%. The opposite direction, however, slipped by 2% to 1,633 dollars, a 39% decline compared with the same period last year.
In its forward-looking commentary, Drewry notes that the balance between demand and available capacity could weaken in the coming quarters, particularly if transits through the Suez Canal return to normal levels. For the following week, the consultancy expects rates on transpacific routes to remain steady or record a slight further decline.
