Drewry’s WCI increased 59% in the last four weeks, as President Donald Trump’s “pause” on import tariffs led to the resumption of US-bound traffic after the initial collapse of Transpacific volumes.

Freight rates from Shanghai to New York rose 2% to $7,285 per 40ft container in the past week and 67% since 15 May (four weeks ago), while spot rates to Los Angeles increased 1% in the past week and 89% in the past four weeks. Prices on the Transpacific eastbound route changed marginally amid the fresh injection of capacity.

Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa remained stable in the past week, at $2,837 and $4,054 per 40ft container, respectively.

The latest sudden, short-term strengthening in the supply-demand balance in global container shipping has reversed the trend of declining rates, which started in January.

However, Drewry’s Container Forecaster expects the supply-demand balance to weaken again in 2H25, which will cause spot rates to decline. The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of the US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain.

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Drewry
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