Global container shipping rates have seen a dramatic upturn, with Drewry’s World Container Index climbing 41% this week to reach $3,527 per 40ft container.
This increase stems from President Trump’s pause on “reciprocal” import tariffs and legal uncertainty, which has revived transpacific trade volumes.
The impact has been particularly pronounced on key Asia-US routes, with Shanghai to Los Angeles rates soaring 57% to $5,876 per 40ft container in just one week. This represents a staggering 117% increase since early May. Similarly significant gains were observed on Asian-European routes, with rates to Rotterdam and Genoa rising 32% and 38% respectively.
Source: Drewry World Container Index, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
However, industry experts remain cautious about the sustainability of these increases. Drewry’s Container Forecaster anticipates a weakening in the supply-demand balance during the second half of 2025, with rates expected to decline.
“The volatility and timing of rate changes will depend on the outcome of legal challenges to Trump’s tariffs and on capacity changes related to the introduction of the US penalties on Chinese ships, which are uncertain,” Drewry writes.
The legal status of Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” remains in flux. While the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled them invalid on May 28, the Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay the following day. Both parties must submit responses by June 9.
A jump in transpacific spot rates was expected as carriers planned to implement transpacific general rate increases (GRIs) of $1,000-$3,000 per 40ft on June 1.
By Lori Ann LaRocco – Ocean freight spot rates from Shanghai to the Arabian Gulf’s largest port, Jebel Ali, are surging. Xeneta average spot rates show an increase of 55%...
A significant increase in GPS jamming and spoofing incidents along the Iranian coast is raising serious concerns about maritime safety in one of the world’s most critical shipping channels. According...
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced major enforcement actions targeting Iran’s defense industry procurement networks and Houthi oil smuggling operations. At the...
June 20, 2025
Total Views: 761
Get The Industry’s Go-To News
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
— just like 109,305 professionals
Secure Your Spot
on the gCaptain Crew
Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news, delivered daily straight to your inbox
— trusted by our 109,305 members
Your Gateway to the Maritime World!
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.