Year-end demand spikes keep container shipping rates rising

Global container shipping rates rose by 1% to2,213 per 40-foot container, marking the fourth consecutive week of increases, according to the latest data from the Drewry World Container Index (WCI on December 25th. As the new year approaches, sustained demand on major trade routes has allowed carriers to push rates higher.

The WCI has advanced for four weeks, mainly thanks to the improvement in rates on the transpacific and Asia-Europe routes. Since the start of December, rates have recovered on a sustained basis, after touched a second-lowest level since January 2025. The current uptrend is thus a continuation of that recovery momentum.

The Asia-Europe trade has shown particular strength over the past week. The spot rate from Shanghai to Genoa rose by 3% to $3,427 per 40-foot container while on the route from Shanghai to Rotterdam, rates edged up by 2% to $2,584. The lane has now seen rates stabilize or increase four consecutive weeks.

"In each of the past three years, the WCI has recorded a double-digit growth rate in December, and a strong year-end peak become the ‘new normal," said Drewry.

The continued strength in rates on the Asia-Europe trade lane reflects a fundamental shift in the seasonal pattern. The volume far exceeded the level that the traditional holiday shipping cycle would have implied. Carriers have begun to record the advance booking for the Chinese New Year in February 2026 and the market rate is expected to increase further in the coming weeks.

After a period of double-digit gains in the previous cycle, this week saw rates on the transific lanes stabilize. The spot rates from Shanghai to New York and Shanghai to Los Angeles held steady after a sharp rebound in rates last week. Currently, the rate from Shanghai to New stands at $3,293 per FEU, and from Shanghai to Los Angeles at $2,474.

Drewry expects rates on the transific lanes to remain stable in the near term, while rates on the Asia-Europe trade lane are expected to increase marginally further with the rise in volumes ahead of the Chinese New.

The current rate environment is a far cry from the situation just two weeks ago. At the time, carriers were facing a “fundamental volume issue”, according to analysts, as much of the Christmas inventory for November had already shipped. The increasing number of blank sailings had failed to stem the slide in rates at the time.

The reversal in rates underlines the volatility that has characterized the container shipping market. This volatility is set to continue as the industry continues to grapple with evolving seasonal patterns, challenges in capacity, and ongoing geopolitical turmoil that impacts major shipping routes.