The Drewry World Container Index (WCI), a composite of spot rates across eight major East–West trade lanes and for many years the go-to independent global reference for index-linked contracts, rebounded after three consecutive weeks of decline, edging up 1% to $4,297 per 40ft container as of Thursday, 06 August 2026. The benchmark, widely referenced by procurement teams negotiating both annual and spot contracts, was supported by higher rates on Transpacific trade routes. The Transpacific and Asia–Europe corridors together account for the largest share of global containerized trade by volume, making rate movements on these lanes a key barometer for supply chain costs.

Transpacific Trade Routes

On the Transpacific trade route, spot rates from Shanghai to New York rose 4% to $7,893 per 40ft container, while rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased 3% to $5,894 per 40ft. Carriers successfully implemented General Rate Increases (GRIs)—announced spot-rate adjustments applied across a carrier's tariff base—as volumes held firm into August, a period that typically falls within the traditional peak shipping season when retailers and manufacturers build inventories ahead of year-end demand. Port congestion across central and south China continued to constrain capacity, providing further support to freight rates. According to Drewry's Container Capacity Insight, eight blank sailings—scheduled vessel omissions used by carriers to tighten effective supply—are scheduled for next week, unchanged from this week, indicating stable available capacity in the market. As a result, Drewry expects rate volatility to reduce in the coming week.

Asia–Europe Trade Route

On the Asia–Europe trade route, spot rates remained stable this week. Freight rates from Shanghai to Genoa fell 2% to $5,506 per 40ft container, while those from Shanghai to Rotterdam held steady at $4,653 per 40ft container. According to Drewry's Container Capacity Insight, three blank sailings were recorded this week, and the same number is scheduled for next week on the Asia–Europe trade lane. As carriers continue to manage available capacity, Drewry expects rates to remain stable next week.

Broader Market Conditions

The broader East–West container freight market remained volatile amid Middle East tensions, new US tariffs, and congestion at Asian ports. Iran and the United States resumed hostilities in late July, increasing uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow chokepoint through which a significant portion of the Gulf region's container and energy trade transits—and prompting several carriers to introduce Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) from August. Carriers also continued to manage capacity through blank sailings and service adjustments.

Ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade policies, geopolitical developments, and port congestion is expected to influence market conditions and freight rate trends in the coming weeks. For shippers and forwarders, the combination of carrier-driven capacity management and external disruptions underscores the importance of monitoring both index-linked and spot contract terms as procurement planning cycles advance. Drewry's Container Freight Rate Insight (CFRI) service tracks ocean spot market freight rates against 6,700 global port pairs, with monthly updates across the full coverage and fortnightly updates for 2,450 port pairs.

Source: Drewry