As of June 18, 2026, Drewry’s World Container Index climbed to $3,969 per 40-foot container, up 12% from the previous week and 21% higher than the same period a year earlier.
Analysts attribute the increase to several factors. Shipping lines continue to actively manage fleet capacity by reducing the number of sailings and maintaining high vessel utilization rates. Additional pressure comes from shippers seeking to move cargo before new U.S. tariffs take effect in July, as well as anticipated increases in fuel surcharges.
Europe and the United States Remain Key Drivers of Rate Growth
On Asia–Europe routes, the market remains tight due to limited shipping capacity. Carriers have announced only three canceled sailings for the coming week, further intensifying the shortage of available slots.
Freight rates on the Shanghai–Rotterdam route rose to $4,342 per container, up 15% compared to the previous week and 37% higher than a year ago.
Even higher rates continue on the Shanghai–Genoa route, which remains the most expensive route into Europe. Freight rates there reached $5,756 per container, increasing 12% week-on-week and 41% year-on-year.
On the return leg from Rotterdam to Shanghai, rates reached $643 per container, up 3% from the previous week and 24% higher than the same period last year.
The most significant increases were recorded on trans-Pacific routes between Asia and the United States. Shipping lines announced six canceled sailings and introduced additional rate surcharges.
Freight rates from Shanghai to New York climbed to $6,769 per container, an increase of 15% over the week. However, the rate remains 3% lower than the level recorded a year ago.
On the Shanghai–Los Angeles route, rates rose to $5,142 per container, up 10% week-on-week and 9% higher year-on-year.
Meanwhile, return rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai remained significantly lower at approximately $822 per container, representing only a 1% weekly increase and a 14% rise compared to last year.
The transatlantic market has shown greater stability. The Rotterdam–New York route remained virtually unchanged at $2,507 per container, although this is still 26% higher than a year earlier. In contrast, rates from New York to Rotterdam stood at approximately $957 per container, down 15% year-on-year.
Despite a slight easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following temporary agreements between the United States and Iran, the container shipping market continues to face pressure from strong seasonal demand.
Drewry analysts expect freight rates to continue rising from July as carriers implement additional FAK (Freight All Kinds) and PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) charges, which are commonly applied during periods of elevated demand. As a result, the global container shipping industry is entering the second half of 2026 with freight rates at their highest level in eighteen months.
