World Average Shipping Cost (Last 12 Months)
- World Average Shipping Cost (Last 12 Months)Measured by the Drewry World Container Index (WCI)—the primary global benchmark for 40-foot container spot rates across major trade lanes—freight costs experienced a sharp two-phase shift over the past year:12-Month Average (Oct 2025 – Oct 2026): ~$2,945 per 40-ft containerCurrent Rate (Early/Mid-October 2026): $4,351 – $4,434 per 40-ft container 12-Month Low (October 11, 2025): $1,651 per 40-ft container 12-Month Peak (August 21, 2026): $4,526 per 40-ft container Year-over-Year Trajectory: Up +131.8% since late September 2025 Monthly Global Benchmark Breakdown (Drewry WCI)PeriodComposite Index (USD / 40ft Box)Market Trend & DriversOctober 2025$1,651 – $1,82218-month low; ended a 17-week post-summer rate decline.December 2025$1,957 – $2,182Pre-holiday restocking and year-end blank sailings pushed rates upward.February 2026$1,899 – $1,959Post-Lunar New Year seasonal dip; demand cooled temporarily.April 2026$2,232 – $2,287Gradual tightening due to ongoing Red Sea / Cape of Good Hope diversions.May 2026$2,216 – $2,712Early peak-season surge (+12% weekly jumps) and rising bunker fuel baselines.July – August 2026$4,255 – $4,526Peak season capacity crunch; rates surged over 55% from spring levels.October 2026$4,351 – $4,434Slight 1–2% cooling during China's Golden Week, but remaining near annual highs.Current Rates by Major Trade Lane & Mode (October 2026)Shanghai to Los Angeles (FCL 40ft): ~$7,352 – $7,838 Shanghai to New York (FCL 40ft): ~$9,726 Shanghai to Rotterdam (FCL 40ft): ~$3,997 Shanghai to Genoa (FCL 40ft): ~$4,216 Europe to USA (FCL 40ft): $2,200 – $4,200Ocean LCL (Less than Container Load): $30 – $180 per cubic meter (CBM) globally Dry Bulk (Baltic Dry Index): 2,801 points (as of October 13, 2026) 2. Recent Maritime & "Mahe" Shipping NewsGlobal Carrier Surcharges (Maersk / Oct 2026): Major ocean carriers are adding new inland and fuel surcharges heading into Q4 2026. Maersk announced an increase to its U.S. Import/Export Fuel Surcharge from $140 to $215 per container (effective November 1, 2026) and introduced an Emergency Inland Fuel/Energy Surcharge across the Nordic region effective October 14, 2026. Red Sea & Fuel Pressures: Routing around the Cape of Good Hope continues to add 10–14 days to Asia–Europe transit times, absorbing global vessel capacity and keeping a high floor on spot rates alongside elevated bunker and green regulatory surcharges ($150–$400/FEU). Mahe Shipping Company Ltd (Seychelles Updates): If you are tracking Mahe Shipping Company specifically, the company discontinued local handling of Speedaf and Aramex courier shipments effective August 31, 2026, shifting its operational focus toward core sea/air freight forwarding, port agency services, and regional CSR initiatives in Seychelles.