29 Jan World Container Index Update: January 2026
The latest Drewry World Container Index (WCI) Index decreased 10% to $2,212 per 40ft container this week. The decline was primarily due to reduced rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.
Carriers increased blank sailings this week to counter softening demand following the end of the Chinese New Year cargo rush. Adjacently, shipping organisations are implementing divergent strategies with regards to the Suez Canal, from switching routes through to the resumption of services. These conflicting operational decisions suggest that effective shipping capacity will be reintroduced to the market gradually rather than all at once, therefore having a gradual impact on spot rates.
The following trade routes experienced decreases: Shanghai-Rotterdam (-9%), Rotterdam-Shanghai (-2%), Shanghai-Genoa (-8%) and Shanghai-Los Angeles (-12%), Los Angeles-Shanghai (-4%), Shanghai-New York (-11%), New York-Rotterdam (-1%) and Rotterdam-New York (-4%).
It is anticipated that freight rates will decline further in the coming weeks.
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