Drewry WCI falls 2% to US$4,351 as Asia-Europe rates drop for a 13th week

Spot container rates out of China fell again during the Golden Week holiday. This is an update to our earlier post on rates in early October.

Drewry World Container Index (WCI). In its assessment of Thursday 8 October 2026, Drewry said the composite WCI fell 2% to US$4,351 per 40ft container. Drewry said lower transpacific and Asia-Europe rates were the main cause, as demand weakened during China's Golden Week. The lanes moved as follows:

• Shanghai to Los Angeles: down 3% to US$7,624
• Shanghai to New York: down 2% to US$10,220
• Shanghai to Rotterdam: down 2% to US$3,337
• Shanghai to Genoa: stable at US$3,696

Drewry said Asia-Europe rates have now fallen for 13 weeks in a row. Carriers plan higher FAK rates for the second half of October, but Drewry said their success is uncertain, and that a faster than expected return to the Suez route is the biggest risk to those increases. It counted six blank sailings on Asia-Europe for next week, up from five, and four on the transpacific, down from eleven. Drewry expects rates on both trades to remain stable next week, and the market to stay volatile in the near term.

Intra-Asia and congestion. The Daily Cargo News (Australia), in a column by Amanda Bradfield, reported that Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index slipped 1% after six weekly increases. The same column said 136 vessels were waiting at Shanghai and Ningbo, with almost 860,000 TEU affected, and that Singapore, Qingdao and Port Klang also had elevated queues.

Europe labour. The column also reported that the ver.di union in Germany accepted a 12-month wage offer covering about 11,000 port workers, averting indefinite strikes. The deal still needs formal employer approval.

Outlook. Xeneta chief analyst Peter Sand said in Xeneta's 2 October update, published by Hellenic Shipping News, that the US-bound market "has reached its post-Hormuz crisis peak in 2026". Sand said rates will not collapse and that shippers should expect elevated freight costs for the rest of 2026. This is a forecast.

Most Sri Lankan exports to Europe and the US move through transshipment, and long-term and spot quotes from Colombo often follow the direction of the main East-West indices. A thirteenth weekly fall on Asia-Europe points to softer pricing for exporters to Europe, although rates are still well above where they were before the Hormuz crisis, according to Xeneta.

For importers buying from China, the drop in Golden Week rates may not last. Carriers are trying to push FAK increases for late October, and congestion at Shanghai and Ningbo can delay sailings and connections into Colombo.

The averted strike in Germany removes one risk for cargo moving through German ports, if the deal is approved.

• Ask your forwarder for quotes with clear validity dates and check whether late October FAK increases are included.
• Compare spot offers with any contract rates you hold, as the gap may have changed.
• Allow extra buffer time for cargo loading at Shanghai and Ningbo.
• Check any carrier notices on Suez routings, since transit times and rates on Asia-Europe may change.
• Plan inland moves to and from the port with our container transport tool.