October 29, 2026. Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) fell 3 % this week to USD 4,429 per 40-foot container, mainly because of the transpacific: Shanghai–Los Angeles dropped 6 % to USD 7,514 and Shanghai–New York 5 % to USD 9,631. It ends a two-week rising streak.
Why transpacific rates are falling
Drewry blames weaker US import demand and cites the National Retail Federation's forecast of an 11 % month-on-month drop in US ocean imports in November. Carriers announced six blank sailings for next week, one more than the week before, and Drewry still expects transpacific rates to keep sliding.
Asia–Europe was steadier: Shanghai–Rotterdam rose 1 % to USD 3,686 and Shanghai–Genoa held at USD 4,151. Drewry also reports 62 ships transited the Suez Canal last week, the highest weekly count of the year, and that congestion in Shanghai is easing, although Typhoon Champi could disrupt it.
Freightos, with an earlier cut-off, showed a different picture on October 28: Asia–US West Coast up 3 % to USD 8,368 and Asia–US East Coast up 9 % to USD 10,565. Its head of research, Judah Levine, said some forwarders see demand cooling and expect a seasonal decline. Part of the gap between indices comes from their dates.
The Los Angeles and Long Beach strike threat
According to the Long Beach Post and Kuehne+Nagel, about 250 watchmen of ILWU Local 26 could stop work from November 1. They provide security at six terminals that, according to the Pacific Maritime Association, handle about 85 % of Long Beach's cargo and 33 % of Los Angeles's. Talks continue with federal mediation. (Update: on October 30 the parties extended talks to November 4.)
What to do as an importer
Our take: if the transpacific decline holds, it may show up in your quotes, but there is no guarantee or timeline. Cargo going to Latin America on direct services does not touch California, but check whether your carrier calls there.
- Ask your forwarder for the vessel's full rotation and ports of call.
- Request short-validity quotes and compare them week to week.
- Schedule the product inspection before the loading date so you do not lose your booked sailing.
- Consider cargo insurance when port disruptions are on the table.
We book sea freight from China to the Americas from our office in Dongguan.
Sources
- Drewry, World Container Index, 29 Oct 2026
- Freightos, Judah Levine, weekly update, 28 Oct 2026
- Long Beach Post, John Donegan, 28 Oct 2026
- gCaptain, "Strike Threat at Los Angeles, Long Beach Ports Delayed as Union and Employers Extend Talks", 30 Oct 2026
- Kuehne+Nagel, "Strike threat puts Los Angeles and Long Beach container operations at risk", 28 Oct 2026
