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, or would like to learn more, please contact our team of ocean freight cost benchmarking and procurement specialists.
Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 4% to $2,264 per 40ft container this week.
Source: Drewry World Container Index, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 20 March 2025
The Drewry WCI composite index fell 4% to $2,264 per 40ft container, 78% below the previous pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 and the lowest since January 2024. However, the index was 59% higher than the average $1,420 in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
The average YTD composite index closed at $3,127 per 40ft container, $242 higher than the 10-year average of $2,885 (inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 Covid period).
Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased 9% or $248 to $2,658 per 40ft container and those from Shanghai to New York decreased 7% or $264 to $3,774 per 40ft container. Similarly, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Rotterdam to New York reduced 2% to $2,463 and $2,316 per 40ft container, respectively, and those from Rotterdam to Shanghai, New York to Rotterdam and Shanghai to Genoa shrank 1% to $484, $846 and $3,286 per 40ft container, respectively. Meanwhile rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained stable. Drewry expects rates to decrease slightly in the upcoming weeks.
