Two-year spot freight rate trend for the World Container Index:
Drewry assessment: Thursday, 04 May 2017
- The composite index is up by 13% this week and up by 40% from the same period of 2016.
- The average composite index of the World Container Index assessed by Drewry for the year to date is US$1,593/40ft container, $121 lower than the 5-year average of $1,715/40ft container. It is 40% higher than a year ago.
- Spot rates from Europe to Asia continue to decline with rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai loosing 20% or $311 from last week. We expect this trend to continue as space availability is no longer a challenge for shippers. Meanwhile the headhaul rates on Shanghai to Rotterdam and Shanghai to Los Angeles spiked by 23% and 20% respectively on the back of GRIs. We expect strong spot markets next week as new alliances and their revised schedules have led to roll over of boxes at hub ports, forcing shippers to book slots 10-14 days in advance.
View our latest freight rate assessments on eight major East-West trades: