Container rates hold at $4,476 per 40ft for a second week

Drewry's World Container Index (WCI) for 10 September 2026 held at USD 4,476 per 40ft container, unchanged for a second consecutive week. On the transpacific, Shanghai–Los Angeles rose 2% to USD 7,352 and Shanghai–New York edged up 1% to USD 9,726. On Asia–Europe, Shanghai–Genoa fell 3% to USD 4,216 and Shanghai–Rotterdam 2% to USD 3,997. Drewry expects rates to stay broadly flat next week.

Behind the flat headline, capacity is being managed rather than demanded. Eight blank sailings are announced for next week on the transpacific, up from seven this week, and three on Asia–Europe, up from one — carriers withdrawing capacity to hold rates. Shanghai port congestion improved from 94 hours in week 35 to 64 hours in week 36 but remains elevated. The Panama Canal Authority postponed a 0.15 m draft reduction for Neopanamax vessels, though transit restrictions stay in place, and the selective return of services to the Suez Canal is restoring effective capacity on Asia–Europe and pushing rates down. Iran–US tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

What this means for buyers: freight is now the fastest-moving part of a landed cost, so it is worth quoting separately. First, because carriers are holding rates through capacity management, space rather than price is usually the binding constraint around month-end and in peak weeks — booking three to four weeks out protects a delivery date better than chasing the last few dollars off the rate. Second, with Shanghai congestion still well above normal, allow a buffer on the China loading side, and note that the validity period of a sea freight quote is normally far shorter than that of a casting quotation; printing both dates on the same offer avoids the usual argument later about which one expired first.