The rise in freight rates continued, with the composite index rising for the third week of this month.
Our detailed assessment for Thursday, May 21, 2026
• The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) rose 6% to $2,712 per 40-foot container, mainly due to higher freight rates on the trade route from Asia to Europe.
• On the Asia-Europe trade route, spot interest rates rose this week, supported by early peak season demand and rising FAK levels. Shipping rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam rose 15% to $2,773 per 40-foot container, and shipping rates from Shanghai to Genoa jumped 10% to $4,082 per 40-foot container. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, only three empty sailings have been announced on the Asia to Europe trade route for next week, indicating increased capacity to be deployed to accommodate cargo in the peak season. CMA CGM announced new FAK levels, effective June 1, which are set above current levels, with Asia and Europe prices at around $4,700 per 40ft container and Asia and Mediterranean rates in the range of $5,500-$5,700 per 40ft container. As the early peak season approaches, with carriers continuing to raise FAK levels, Drury expects rates to rise further in the coming weeks.
• On the Trans-Pacific Trade Route, interest rates rose slightly this week. Shipping rates from Shanghai to New York rose 2% to $4,317 per 40-foot container, and shipping rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles rose 1% to $3,385 per 40-foot container. According to Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight, seven empty sailings were announced on the trans-Pacific trade route for next week, indicating tighter capacity and creating room for carriers to implement higher FAK rates. Early peak season trends are also expected to emerge on the Trans-Pacific Trade Corridor. ONE announced a PSS of $2,000 per 40-foot container on eastbound trans-Pacific cargo, effective June 1. Drori expects prices to rise in the coming weeks.
• Overall, east-west container shipping markets are holding steady with the peak season arriving earlier than usual this year. Carriers are pushing rates higher by increasing FAK and PSS levels, while also tightening supply through empty sailings and selective capacity management. Meanwhile, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have disrupted global shipping sentiment, as emergency fuel surcharges and rising fuel costs have added to uncertainty and upward cost pressure across trade lanes.
Ocean spot market freight rates for 6,700 global port pairs
If you need information on spot market container freight rates other than those listed above, find out more about our online Container Freight Rates Insights (CFRI) service, which covers 6,700 global port pairs updated monthly (2,450 pairs updated every two weeks).
Source: Drury
