The World Container Index, compiled by Drewry to track spot container shipping rates, rose to $4,297 per FEU, up 1%, in the week of 6 August 2026. It was the first positive movement after three consecutive weeks of decline, supported by higher rates on the transpacific. In particular, the Shanghai-New York route posted the strongest weekly increase among the routes covered, rising to $7,893 per FEU, up 4% week on week and 106% year on year. On the Shanghai-Los Angeles route, the rate increased to $5,894, up 3% week on week, while its year-on-year growth of 133% remained the highest of all the routes analysed by Drewry. Carriers successfully implemented general rate increases (GRIs), while volumes remained stable ahead of August. Port congestion in central and southern China also helped support rates by limiting available capacity.
On the return leg from Los Angeles to Shanghai, rates moved against the trend seen on the main flows in the corridor, falling to $839, down 2% week on week but up 18% year on year. Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight reported eight blank sailings scheduled for next week on the transpacific, the same number as in the current week. According to the British research company, stable available capacity should lead to lower rate volatility in the coming days.
On the Asia-Europe corridor, rates remained broadly stable. Shanghai-Genoa slipped to $5,506, down 2% week on week but up 71% year on year, while Shanghai-Rotterdam recorded no weekly change, holding at $4,653, 42% higher than in the same period last year. On the return Rotterdam-Shanghai route, rates lost ground, falling to $583, down 1% week on week but up 19% year on year. Drewry reported three blank sailings on the Asia-Europe route this week and the same number already scheduled for next week, a capacity management approach that should keep rates stable in the days ahead.
Transatlantic routes showed mixed but limited movements. The Rotterdam-New York rate rose to $2,773, up 2% week on week and 39% year on year, while in the opposite direction, New York-Rotterdam fell to $1,096, down 1% week on week but still 28% higher than a year earlier.
East-West container transport remains volatile, affected by tensions in the Middle East, new US tariffs and congestion at Asian ports. Drewry’s report points to the resumption of hostilities between Iran and the United States at the end of July, which increased uncertainty over vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz and prompted several carriers to introduce an Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) from August. At the same time, carriers continue to manage available capacity through blank sailings and service adjustments.
M.G.
