Drewry WCI plummets 12.71% as shippers brace for potential ILA strike

Drewry WCI plummets 12.71% as shippers brace for potential ILA strike Pic: Adobe Stock

Insights

  • Drewry World Container Index dropped by 12.71 per cent to $4,168 per 40ft container in mid-September, continuing its decline since a rise two months ago.
  • The index is now 60 per cent below its pandemic peak but remains 193 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
  • Shippers are shifting cargo due to a potential ILA strike, leading to further rate declines.
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) further dropped by 12.71 per cent to $4,168 per 40ft container in the week ending September 12, down from $4,775 the previous week. The benchmark for global sea transportation freight charges has been falling sharply after a rise approximately two months ago. The proposed ILA strike has also contributed to the decline in freight charges.

The latest Drewry WCI composite index of $4,168 per 40ft container is 60 per cent below the pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021, but it remains 193 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic average rate of $1,420 in 2019.

Drewry World Container Index dropped by 12.71 per cent to $4,168 per 40ft container in mid-September, continuing its decline since a rise two months ago. The index is now 60 per cent below its pandemic peak but remains 193 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Shippers are shifting cargo due to a potential ILA strike, leading to further rate declines.

The average composite index for the year-to-date is $4,128 per 40ft container, which is $1,310 higher than the 10-year average rate of $2,818, inflated by the exceptional 2020-22 Covid period.

Freight rates from Shanghai to New York plunged by 21 per cent, or $1,790, to $6,661 per 40ft container. Similarly, rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam contracted by 17 per cent, or $1,067, to $5,152 per FEU. Likewise, rates from Shanghai to Genoa declined by 10 per cent, or $586, to $5,256 per 40ft container.

Spot rates from Rotterdam to New York also dropped by 9 per cent, or $201, to $2,011 per 40ft container. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles fell by 7 per cent, or $403, to $5,627 per 40ft container. Additionally, rates from New York to Rotterdam eased by 4 per cent, or $28, to $704 per 40ft container, while rates from Rotterdam to Shanghai shrank by 1 per cent, or $6, to $606 per FEU.

Conversely, spot rates from Los Angeles to Shanghai increased by 1 per cent, or $4, to $718 per 40ft container.

Shippers are shifting their cargo from the US East Coast to the West Coast to avoid the planned ILA strike in October, which has resulted in a significant 21 per cent decline in East Coast spot rates. Due to weak demand, Drewry expects East-West rates to decrease further in the coming weeks.

SBS Zipper News Desk (KUL)

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