The Drewry World Container Index fell 4% to $2,445 per 40-foot container for the week ending January 15, 2026, according to a report from Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide. The decrease is attributed primarily to falling rates on major Transpacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes.

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Spot freight rates from Shanghai to New York dropped 10% to $3,568 per 40ft container, while rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles fell 7% to $2,909 per 40ft container. The report states carriers were unable to sustain rates due to weak demand, despite upward pressure typically expected from upcoming Chinese New Year factory shutdowns in mid-February.

On the Asia-Europe routes, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased 3% to $2,763 per container, and rates from Shanghai to Genoa decreased 1% to $3,839 per container. Ocean carriers have paused plans to resume transits via the Red Sea due to escalating protests in Iran and the risk of direct military intervention by the United States, factors which continue to drive regional volatility.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform