By the Numbers
World Container Index assessed by Drewry
The rate assessment is published by the World Container Index assessed by Drewry and includes the base ocean rate, the fuel surcharge and all other surcharges, but not the Terminal Handling Charge at the destination.
Shanghai to Rotterdam Rate
CREEPS LOWER: The Aug. 20, 2026, spot rate from Shanghai to Rotterdam was $ 4,401 per FEU, down $ 24( 0.5 %) from the previous week. The rate was up $ 1,428( 48.0 %) year over year and $ 1,817( 70.3 %) from year-end 2025.
$ 15,000
$ 12,000
$ 9,000
$ 6,000
$ 3,000
High: $ 14,807 10 / 07 / 2021 Low: $ 313 03 / 24 / 2016
$ 0 06 / 23 / 2011
08 / 20 / 2026
Shanghai to Los Angeles Rate
JUMPS: The Aug. 20, 2026, spot rate from Shanghai to Los Angeles was $ 6,802 per FEU, up $ 558( 8.9 %) from the previous week. The rate was up $ 4,390( 182.0 %) year over year and $ 4,321( 174.2 %) from year-end 2025.
$ 15,000
$ 12,000
$ 9,000
$ 6,000
$ 3,000
High: $ 12,424 09 / 16 / 2021 Low: $ 754 04 / 28 / 2016
$ 0 06 / 23 / 2011
08 / 20 / 2026
Rotterdam to New York Rate
RISES: The Aug. 20, 2026, spot rate from Rotterdam to New York was $ 3,039 per FEU, up $ 155( 5.4 %) from the previous week. The rate was up $ 1,088( 55.8 %) year over year and $ 1,387( 84.0 %) from year-end 2025.
$ 8,000
$ 6,000
$ 4,000
$ 2,000
High: $ 7,426 11 / 03 / 2022 Low: $ 1,480 12 / 21 / 2023
$ 0 06 / 23 / 2011
08 / 20 / 2026
New York to Rotterdam Rate
TICKS HIGHER: The Aug. 20, 2026, spot rate from New York to Rotterdam was $ 1,126 per FEU, up $ 38( 3.5 %) from the previous week. The rate was up $ 287( 34.2 %) year over year and $ 164( 17.0 %) from year-end 2025.
$ 2,500
$ 2,000
$ 1,500
$ 1,000
$ 500
High: $ 2,141 07 / 14 / 2011 Low: $ 442 07 / 28 / 2016
$ 0 06 / 23 / 2011
08 / 20 / 2026
Los Angeles to Shanghai Rate
INCHES DOWN: The Aug. 20, 2026, spot rate from Los Angeles to Shanghai was $ 822 per FEU, down $ 8( 1.0 %) from the previous week. The rate was up $ 109( 15.3 %) year over year and $ 110( 15.4 %) from year-end 2025.
$ 1,500
$ 1,200
$ 900
$ 600
$ 300
High: $ 1,479 08 / 05 / 2021 Low: $ 336 01 / 14 / 2016
$ 0 06 / 23 / 2011
08 / 20 / 2026
Drewry( www. drewry. co. uk) is a consulting firm specializing in international maritime transport, providing bid administration support, benchmarking, best practices, fuel programs, market research, technology and procurement advice.
www. joc. com September 7, 2026 | Journal of Commerce 51