The container rates this week continued the slight decreasing tendency

In accordance with the assessment of Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, the container rates this week continued the slight decreasing tendency. As it is mentioned, their composite World Container Index decreased by 1% to $1,919 per 40-foot container. Meanwhile freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased by 1% or $18 to $2,109, and Rotterdam to Shanghai increased by 2% or $11 to $536 per 40-foot container.

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 1% to $1,919 per 40ft container this week. 

Drewry World Container Index (US$/40ft)

WCI Trade Routes from Shanghai (US$/40ft)

Retard : Drewry : World Container Index decreased

Our detailed assessment for Thursday, 19 Feb 2026

• The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell 1% to $1,919 per 40ft container for the sixth consecutive week due to a drop in rates on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe trade routes.
• Spot rates from Shanghai to New York decreased 1% to $2,782, while those on Shanghai to Los Angeles remained stable at $2,219 per 40ft container. To maintain the supply-demand balance, carriers are managing capacity by announcing blank sailings. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, 31 blank sailings have been announced for the next week on the Transpacific East and West Coasts trade lane, much higher than in previous years. Hence, Drewry expects spot rates on this trade to continue to soften in the coming weeks.
• Spot rates on Asia–Europe trade routes continued to decline, with rates on Shanghai–Rotterdam falling 1% to $2,109 per 40ft container and those on Shanghai–Genoa dropping 2% to $2,895. According to Container Capacity Insight, carriers have announced 8 blank sailings on the Asia–Europe/Med trade route for next week due to the volatile market and ongoing factory closure due to CNY. Drewry expects spot rates on this trade to decline slightly in the coming weeks.
• Container spot rates are falling sharply, which indicates that the market is weak, contrary to the general expectation of rising demand and increasing spot rates before the CNY. This year, rates peaked earlier than usual, and if the normal seasonal pattern continues, they might decrease further.

Meanwhile, the rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained unchanged at $724, while Rotterdam to New York also remained unchanged at $1,612 per FEU. Furthermore, the freight from New York to Rotterdam this week increased by 1% or $9 to $957 per 40-foot container.

Related : Drewry : World Container Index – May

#Drewry #container rates # (WCI) #Asia–Europe trade #Container Capacity Insight #World Container Index # Decreased