Global Container Index: +7%

10.12.2025

The global index for container shipping rose by 7%, reaching $1,927 per 40-foot container.

According to market analysts:

- after three consecutive weeks of decline — during which spot rates hit their lowest level since January 2025 — the market finally turned upward;

- several carriers shifted away from the traditional biweekly adjustments and adopted weekly GRI increases;

- instead of announcing large single hikes that quickly erode, carriers now apply smaller, incremental increases to maintain upward pressure on spot rates.

Drewry notes that this strategy has been effective so far, and rates are expected to remain stable over the coming week.

The Suez Canal Factor.

The ongoing uncertainty around Suez continues to increase volatility on Asia–Europe trades.

A full restoration of transit flows would add significant capacity back into the market and apply downward pressure on rates — though the effect is likely to be gradual, considering possible port congestion.

SCFI Down: –5.5 Points.

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) fell by 5.5 points, reaching 1397.

Key drivers behind the decline:

- the index reflects only China’s export market;

- demand has softened after the autumn peak;

- carriers are not withdrawing capacity, which leads to stagnating rates on the China–Europe and China–US routes and pushes the index lower.