Drewry World Container Index - 31 July

For many years, World Container Index has been the go-to, independent, global reference for index-linked contracts. If your organisation is considering index-linked contracts or requires regional visibility/coverage beyond the eight trade lanes provided below, contact our ocean freight cost benchmarking team.

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 1% to $2,499 per 40ft container this week.

Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 31 Jul 2025

• Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) declined only 1% this week, and continued to stabilise after a volatile period. The unpredictability began after US tariffs were announced in April, which caused rates to surge from May through early June. Subsequently, the market saw a heavy decline until mid-July, after which the downward trend lost momentum and the rate of decrease slowed considerably.

• Transpacific spot rates fell this week, as rates on Shanghai–Los Angeles were down 2% ($2,632/feu) and those on Shanghai–New York also slid 2% ($4,135/feu). With a temporary halt on higher US tariffs for Chinese products ending in mid-August, shipping lines are cutting back on services across the Pacific by cancelling more sailings. Since the big rush to ship cargo before the tariff increase is now over, Drewry expects spot rates to remain less volatile in the coming week.

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

Spot freight rates by major route

Our assessment across eight major East-West trades: