In the week ending 23 October 2025, the spot freight rate market for container shipping showed its second consecutive period of growth, following seventeen weeks of decline. According to data from Drewry's World Container Index, the composite index (covering all routes) recorded a 3% increase, reaching $1,746 per forty-foot container, after the previous week's 2% rise. Year-on-year, however, the average rate remains 44% lower than the same period in 2024.
The increase was driven primarily by routes between China and major destination markets, particularly the United States and Europe, whilst transatlantic connections showed a more mixed picture. Between China and Europe, shipments from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 4%, reaching $1,736 per forty-foot container, whilst those to Genoa increased 2%, standing at $1,855. Both routes remain well below last year's levels, with reductions of 45% and 44% respectively. The return route from Rotterdam to Shanghai posted a slight 1% increase ($458), with a more modest annual contraction of 16%.
On the transpacific front, weekly rises were more pronounced. The Shanghai-New York route grew 6%, reaching $3,420 per container, whilst Shanghai-Los Angeles gained 4%, climbing to $2,290. Year-on-year variations remain negative, at -35% to the East Coast and -52% to the West Coast. The return route from Los Angeles to Shanghai held steady at $709, unchanged from twelve months ago.
The transatlantic market, by contrast, shows mixed signals. The Rotterdam-New York link fell 4% to $1,720 per container, whilst the reverse route from New York to Rotterdam registered a 1% increase to $856. The latter is also the only route showing annual improvement, with a 12% rise. Overall, Drewry expects a slight continuation of the upward trend in the short term, supported by General Rate Increases (GRIs) introduced by carriers in mid-October and new adjustments scheduled for 1 and 15 November. However, medium-term forecasts from the Container Forecaster suggest a possible weakening of the supply-demand balance in coming quarters, with a consequent return to more moderate rates.
