This week, the Drewry World Container Index increased by 2%, reaching $1,957 for a 40-foot container. This marks the second weekly rise, mainly due to stronger trade routes between Asia and Europe, while rates for Transpacific shipping continue to decline.

There is a clear split in the global container shipping markets, with different supply and demand factors affecting rates across major trading routes.

Transpacific Rates Continue to Fall

After a short uptick last week, Transpacific spot rates have started to drop again. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased by 7%, now at $2,103 for a 40-foot container, and rates from Shanghai to New York fell by 5%, coming to $2,756.

This decline is attributed to a significant volume issue. Most Christmas goods were shipped out in November, leaving shipping companies struggling to find enough cargo to maintain their rates, despite more cancelled sailings. There are already twelve additional cancellations announced for next week.

According to Drewry's Container Capacity Insight, “While shipping companies are increasing cancellations to support falling spot rates, this strategy is having difficulties due to a lack of cargo.”

Asia-Europe Trade Lane Shows Strong Performance

In contrast, routes between Asia and Europe have seen stable or rising rates for four weeks in a row. Spot rates from Shanghai to Genoa jumped by 13% to $3,004 for a 40-foot container, and rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose by 5% to $2,361.

This stable performance can be linked to changing seasonal trends observed in the last three years. Drewry noted that demand in December has seen double-digit month-on-month growth, setting a strong end-of-year volume as a new standard. With the Lunar New Year approaching in February 2026, shipping companies are already securing early bookings, which may lead to slight rate increases in the upcoming week.