London – Global container shipping spot rates fell for the tenth week in a row, according to shipping and supply chain analytics firm Drewry’s latest World Container Index, as the sector continues to adjust to the tariff shock triggered by U.S. trade policy earlier this year.

The index dropped 4 percent to $2,250 per 40-foot container last week, its lowest level since April.

The decline marks a sharp reversal from the surge that followed former President Donald Trump’s new tariffs announced in April, which sent rates climbing through May and early June before the market turned downward.

Transpacific routes bore much of the brunt, with Shanghai-Los Angeles spot rates down 3 percent to $2,412 per FEU and Shanghai-New York rates off 5 percent to $3,463. Drewry noted in its report that U.S. retailers, having front-loaded orders ahead of tariffs and an early peak season, are now cutting procurement amid a cooling economy, soft consumer demand and higher import costs.

On Asia-Europe lanes, rates fell as well, with Shanghai-Rotterdam sliding 6 percent to $2,973 per FEU and Shanghai-Genoa down 3 percent to $2,978. Despite resilient demand and ongoing port delays, a glut of vessel capacity is maintaining downward pressure on the pricing of these routes.

Looking ahead, Drewry expects spot rates to be less volatile in the short term but sees further weakness in the second half of 2025 likely as the supply-demand balance erodes. The firm said the future outlook hinges on any adjustments to Trump’s tariff strategy and the impact of potential U.S. penalties on Chinese shipping lines.

The creation of this story was assisted by an AI engine and supplemented,  fact-checked and edited by editorial staff.