Container freight rates on major routes between the US, Europe and Asia show a strong increase compared to last week. The outlook for Asia-Europe trades remains positive.
The World Container Index assessed by Drewry, a composite of container freight rates on eight major routes to[ds_preview]/from the US, Europe and Asia, is up by 12.2 % to 1,550 $ per 40ft container. The index also up by 9 % from the same period of 2016.
According to shipping consultancy the average composite index of the WCI, assessed by Drewry for year-to-date, is 1,552 $ per 40ft container, which is 124 $ lower than the five-year average of 1,676 $ per 40ft container. It is also 9 % higher than a year ago.
Spot rates on the Shanghai-Rotterdam route shot up to 1,936 $ – an increase of 284 $ for a 40ft box this week – as a result of peak season demand and the 1 July GRIs. Similarly, rates on Transpacific eastbound trade surged. Spot rates from Shanghai to New York went up by 388 $ to reach 2,405 $ for a 40ft box, and to Los Angeles by 257 $ to 1,390 $ on the back of the GRIs.
Drewry says that the rates on the Transpacific routes are likely to dip while Asia-Europe remains strong next week.
Spot freight rates by route
