Key Takeaway

Container spot rates reached their highest level since September 2024 this week. Drewry’s World Container Index composite rose 2% to $4,639 per 40ft container in its July 9 assessment, driven mainly by Asia to Europe gains, with Shanghai to Rotterdam up 5%. Freightos FBX weekly lane rates moved harder in the same window: Asia to US West Coast and Asia to US East Coast both rose 8%, Asia to North Europe rose 10%, and Asia to Mediterranean rose 11%. Mid-month rate increases announced across both major trades take effect from July 15.

This Week’s Rates

Route	Rate ($/FEU)	WoW	Trend
Shanghai to Rotterdam	$4,933	+5%	Rising
Shanghai to Los Angeles	$6,482	+2%	Rising
Shanghai to Genoa	$6,463	+2%	Rising
Shanghai to New York	$7,904	Flat	Stable
Drewry WCI composite	$4,639	+2%	Rising, highest since September 2024

What’s Driving the Movement

Mid-month rate increases take effect July 15. A few carriers have announced general rate increases in the $2,000 to $3,000 per FEU range on the Transpacific, effective mid-month. On Asia to Europe, CMA CGM has announced FAK rates of $7,000 per 40ft container, with $7,900 to $8,500 per 40ft container on Asia to Mediterranean, also effective July 15. Announced increases of that size rarely stick in full, but they signal carrier intent to push spot levels higher into the back half of July.

Near-term space remains constrained, although capacity conditions are beginning to improve. Drewry counted only three blank sailings on the Transpacific and four on the Asia to Europe trade for the coming week, while still describing capacity on both trades as tight or constrained. Looking further out, Drewry expects 46 blank sailings across the major East to West trades between mid-July and mid-August, a 6% cancellation rate, with 94% of scheduled sailings still expected to operate. Drewry says carriers are restoring capacity and access to space is showing early signs of improvement, but firm demand and congestion continue to support elevated rates.

Asia to North Europe led the gains. Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 5% to $4,933 per FEU, the largest single-route move in the Drewry index, and the FBX Asia to North Europe lane rose 10% in the same week. Red Sea diversions continue to absorb vessel capacity on the headhaul, while demand and congestion at major hubs have kept pressure on the lane even as record levels of capacity are deployed. Shanghai to New York, by comparison, held flat.

Drewry expects rates to remain elevated on the Transpacific and firm on Asia to Europe in the coming weeks, and describes the East to West market as volatile, with renewed US–Iran tensions and security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz continuing to disrupt shipping operations. Freightos also notes that the early peak-season surge may be approaching its demand peak, which could make the full July 15 increases difficult to sustain.

What This Means for Shippers

If you’re shipping transpacific, the July 15 GRI is the near-term pricing risk. Booking before July 15 does not automatically protect a shipment: applicability can depend on the carrier’s effective-date terms, sailing date, rate-validity window, and whether the quote has been formally secured. Confirm the applicable rate and space in writing, because congestion, rolled-cargo backlogs, and strong demand can still leave little flexibility even where most scheduled sailings are operating.

If you’re shipping Asia to Europe, the July 15 date matters there too. Shanghai to Rotterdam moved 5% in a week before the CMA CGM FAK increase takes effect, and with Red Sea routing still adding transit days, buffer your delivery windows and check whether your contract rate is holding against a rising spot market.

Zooming out, this is the highest Drewry composite reading since September 2024, which still leaves it below the mid-2024 disruption peak. The index has continued rising through recent weekly assessments, but the outlook is not one-directional: carriers are adding capacity, Drewry sees early signs of improving space availability, and Freightos says demand may begin easing later in July. Procurement plans built on immediate summer softening still need revisiting, but so do assumptions that every announced mid-month increase will hold in full.

If these mid-month rate moves are forcing last-minute routing calls, walk through how ops teams watch rate-driven schedule and space changes across carriers in one view.

---

Rates are weekly assessments from the Drewry World Container Index (assessed July 9, 2026) and Freightos FBX weekly lane data (July 8, 2026 update); spot levels move daily and exclude local charges, THC, and surcharges. Announced carrier increases may apply according to sailing date, booking date, rate validity, or other carrier-specific terms. Confirm against your own carrier quote before booking.