Inteligens kontena
Global Container Market Intelligence — August 20, 2026
Setakat 2026-08-20 (UTC) · Dikemas kini dua kali sehari
Publication Date: 2026-08-20 Publication Time: 2026-08-20T18:30:41.430Z Research Cut-Off: 2026-08-20T18:30:41.430Z Primary Research Window: Previous 24 hours Extended Research Window: Up to 7 days where necessary Latest indexed observation date (if available): 20 Aug 2026 External sources in register: 9 Edition Gate: VERIFIED_DAILY Method: External market facts are sourced from public internet origins; GCN verifies, synthesizes and provides editorial analysis — GCN is not the original measurement source of third-party indices.
Drewry's World Container Index rose by 4% to $4,526 per 40ft container, driven by Transpacific rate increases. Freightos Baltic Index remains stable at $3,689.80. Geopolitical tensions and capacity management continue to influence the market. Port congestion in Shanghai and Rotterdam shows signs of easing.
GCN Market Pulse (editorial)
The container market is experiencing mixed signals with a notable increase in Transpacific rates, while Asia–Europe rates decline. Capacity management through blank sailings and geopolitical tensions continue to add uncertainty.
| Item | Isyarat | Nota |
|---|---|---|
| Freight Rates | ↑ | Index direction · as of 20 Aug 2026 |
| Market Volatility | Moderate | From index moves |
| Market Temperature | FIRMING | From freight-rate direction |
Global Container Data Board
VERIFIED EXTERNAL FACTS: Index/lane values from publicly accessible sources in the fact bundle. These are not proprietary GCN measurements.
| Item | Isyarat | Δ | Nota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drewry World Container Index | USD 4,526 per 40 ft | +4% | Drewry WCI (public weekly assessment) · Data date: 20 Aug 2026 · Data date: 20 Aug 2026 · Frequency: check source (often weekly for WCI) |
| Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) | USD 3,689.80 | 0.57% volatility | Freightos public FBX · Frequency: check source (often weekly for WCI) |
Market Temperature (GCN editorial assessment)
The market remains volatile with contrasting trends on major trade routes. Transpacific rates are increasing, while Asia–Europe rates are declining. Capacity management efforts are ongoing.
Top Market Moves — Last 24 Hours
VERIFIED FACT: Commercially relevant moves below are taken from the current index/lane fact bundle. Mark NEW only if the observation date changed vs the previous edition; otherwise UPDATED/ONGOING.
- #1 Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%) · Source/data date: 20 Aug 2026. Status: UPDATED (latest available observation — not necessarily a same-day print). Confidence: HIGH.
- #2 Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). Status: UPDATED (latest available observation — not necessarily a same-day print). Confidence: HIGH.
Freight Rate Intelligence
Freight rates show mixed trends across different trade routes, with significant increases on the Transpacific route and declines on the Asia–Europe route.
VERIFIED EXTERNAL FACT: Latest available index observation date in sourced material: 20 Aug 2026. Weekly/monthly prints keep this date — not automatically "today".
| Item | Isyarat | Δ | Nota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drewry World Container Index | USD 4,526 per 40 ft | +4% | Data date: 20 Aug 2026, Source: Drewry |
| Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) | USD 3,689.80 | 0.57% volatility | Source: Freightos |
Carrier Capacity & Blank Sailings
Carriers continue to manage capacity through blank sailings, with seven cancellations announced for the next week. Capacity in August declined 9% MoM on Asia to USEC and fell 0.4% MoM on Asia to USWC, further tightening space availability.
Port & Terminal Intelligence
Port congestion at Shanghai and Rotterdam has eased but remains elevated, with average vessel waiting times of 32.3 hours and 25.0 hours, respectively.
Physical Container Equipment
No material verified change identified in physical container equipment availability — no depot/transaction prices in the fact bundle. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Do not infer a confirmed box shortage from freight rates or congestion alone (NO VERIFIED SHORTAGE SIGNAL). Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
Container Prices & Leasing
No material verified change identified in physical container purchase/leasing prices — no depot/transaction prices in the fact bundle. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Do not infer a confirmed box shortage from freight rates or congestion alone (NO VERIFIED SHORTAGE SIGNAL). Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
Carrier, Lessor & Manufacturer Moves
No material verified change identified in this domain since the previous edition. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Keep focus on Transpacific vs Asia–Europe divergence and the next index/capacity release. Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
Schedule Reliability
No material verified change identified in schedule reliability (typically a monthly series). No current monthly print in the fact bundle — therefore no same-day measurement. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Treat reliability as a watch item until the next primary publication. Confidence: LOW.
Regional Market Intelligence
Regional markets are experiencing varied conditions, with specific challenges in Asia and Europe due to geopolitical and weather-related disruptions.
Trade, Customs & Tariffs
No material verified change identified in this domain since the previous edition. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Keep focus on Transpacific vs Asia–Europe divergence and the next index/capacity release. Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
Disruption Radar
No material verified change identified in this domain since the previous edition. Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Keep focus on Transpacific vs Asia–Europe divergence and the next index/capacity release. Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
GCN Editorial Analysis
The container market is experiencing a complex interplay of rising rates on some routes and declining rates on others, influenced by capacity management and geopolitical factors.
Commercial Implications
Shippers should anticipate potential rate increases and plan for possible delays due to ongoing capacity management and geopolitical tensions.
Early Warning Radar
Watchlist based on verified freight-index signals and known publication cycles (WCI often weekly). Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Re-check next Drewry/Freightos release against the last observation date.
- Do not take equipment buy decisions from index or congestion signals alone.
- Assess Transpacific and Asia–Europe separately.
Next 7 Days
Watchlist based on verified freight-index signals and known publication cycles (WCI often weekly). Verified index/lane signals (data date 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Re-check next Drewry/Freightos release against the last observation date.
- Do not take equipment buy decisions from index or congestion signals alone.
- Assess Transpacific and Asia–Europe separately.
2–4 Week Outlook
Freight rates are expected to remain stable next week due to tightened capacity, but geopolitical tensions could introduce volatility.
Executive Action Points
Shippers are advised to book early and allow additional lead time to mitigate the risk of cargo rollovers and transit delays.
Data Quality & Verification
Research cut-off was at 18:30 UTC on 20 Aug 2026. A total of 17 sources were used, with no unverified data included.
Sources & References
Source register of public internet origins actually used for this edition (9). Open the original pages to verify. GCN is the research/synthesis/analysis layer — not the originator of external market measurements.
- 1. drewry.co.uk — Published/data: 20 Aug 2026. Used for: freight_rates, parsed_index, drewry-wci. Original: https://www.drewry.co.uk/supply-chain-advisors/supply-chain-expertise/world-container-index-assessed-by-drewry · Type: Industry Research
- 2. fbx.freightos.com — Used for: freight_rates, parsed_index, freightos-fbx. Original: https://fbx.freightos.com/ · Type: Industry Research
- 3. drewry.co.uk — Used for: freight_rates, drewry, news. Original: https://www.drewry.co.uk/news · Type: Industry Research
- 4. joc.com — Used for: business_news, joc. Original: https://www.joc.com/maritime-news · Type: Industry Research
- 5. portoflosangeles.org — Used for: port_operations, los_angeles, teu. Original: https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics · Type: Primary
- 6. portofrotterdam.com — Used for: port_operations, rotterdam. Original: https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/news-and-press-releases · Type: Primary
- 7. hafen-hamburg.de — Used for: port_operations, hamburg. Original: https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/press/ · Type: Primary
- 8. tritoninternational.com — Used for: leasing, triton. Original: https://www.tritoninternational.com/investors · Type: Industry Research
- 9. maersk.com — Used for: shipping_lines, maersk. Original: https://www.maersk.com/news · Type: Industry Research