The Global Container Index (World Container Index) as an independent global reference, witnessed a 1% decrease to $4,468 for a 40-foot container on September 24, 2026. This decrease was primarily due to falling rates on the Asia to Europe trade route.
Trade Rates on the Trans-Pacific Route
On the Trans-Pacific trade route, rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by 2% to $7,838 for a 40-foot container. Additionally, rates from Shanghai to New York remained unchanged at $10,373 for a 40-foot container. Meanwhile, shipping companies continue to manage capacity through the cancellation of empty fleets. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight report, 15 fleet cancellations have been announced for the upcoming week, an increase from 9 cancellations last week, indicating limited capacity. Despite the decrease in capacity, rates are expected to decline next week due to the approach of the Golden Week holidays.
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Changes on the Asia to Europe Route
On the Asia to Europe trade route, rates decreased by 5% to $3,835 for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Genoa and by 4% to $3,485 for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Rotterdam. Additionally, according to Drewry, 7 fleet cancellations have been announced for this route next week, an increase from 3 cancellations last week, indicating limited capacity. Meanwhile, the number of transits through the Suez Canal increased from 41 in week 37 to 48 in week 38, providing effective capacity on the Asia to Europe route. Therefore, rates are expected to continue to decrease next week as the effective capacity increase from fleet cancellations will be greater.
The East to West container shipping market remains uncertain as companies continue to balance capacity against unstable demand and operational disruptions. While transits through the Suez Canal are increasing, security risks in the Red Sea remain a key uncertainty. At the same time, Panama Canal capacity remains limited, and operational disruptions in Germany and low water levels in the Rhine are damaging European supply chains. With increasing fleet cancellations and the approach of China’s Golden Week in early October, shipping rates are expected to decrease next week.
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