November 12, 2026. Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) fell 2 % this week to 4,305 dollars per 40-foot container, and the British consultancy expects transpacific rates to keep falling next week.
Rates by lane
- Shanghai-New York: 9,020 dollars, down 3 %.
- Shanghai-Los Angeles: 7,416 dollars, down 2 %.
- Shanghai-Rotterdam: 3,504 dollars, down 3 %.
- Shanghai-Genoa: unchanged at 4,168 dollars.
"Drewry expects freight rates to decrease further next week," the report says. Transpacific carriers announced eight blank sailings for next week, up from four this week. FreightWaves, citing Freightos, reported that "Trans-Pacific ocean rates fell slightly this past week as carriers' planned general rate increases failed to take hold," with rates around 8,200 dollars per FEU to the US West Coast and 9,700 dollars to the East Coast, still near peak-season levels.
Shanghai congestion and LA labor talks
Drewry says congestion at Shanghai port rose to 49 hours last week from 36, ending 11 straight weeks of improvement. It also flags labor talks at Los Angeles and Long Beach, which "remain potential risks to global container shipping"; FreightWaves notes ILWU Local 26 extended its contract to November 20 as talks with the Pacific Maritime Association continue. On Asia-Europe, Drewry expects rates "to increase slightly in the coming weeks" because of FAK increases, peak season surcharges and eight blank sailings next week.
Our take
Carriers serving Latin America compete in the same transpacific market, so a downtrend gives room to negotiate. Blank sailings and Shanghai congestion can stretch departure times, so confirm cargo dates early, ahead of Chinese New Year on February 6, 2027.
- Book sea freight with a validity date and a list of included surcharges.
- Allow one or two weeks of slack for cancelled sailings, and compare DDP quotes.
- Run a product inspection before the goods leave the factory.
