Containerinformatie
Global Container Market Intelligence — August 19, 2026
Vanaf 2026-08-19 (UTC) · Dagelijks twee keer bijgewerkt
Publication Date: 2026-08-19 Publication Time: 2026-08-19T18:31:17.002Z Research Cut-Off: 2026-08-19T18:31:17.002Z Primary Research Window: Previous 24 hours Extended Research Window: Up to 7 days where necessary Latest indexed observation date (if available): 13 Aug 2026 External sources in register: 12 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.
The Drewry World Container Index remains stable at $4,339 per 40ft container, indicating a 1% increase driven by Transpacific routes. Freightos Baltic Index is at $3,689.80, showing 0.57% volatility. Blank sailings continue to manage capacity with 10 cancellations in recent weeks and 7 more planned. Asia–Europe rates have declined, with Shanghai to Genoa down 8% to $5,080. Geopolitical tensions and weather disruptions continue to impact market stability.
GCN Market Pulse (editorial)
The container market shows mixed signals with rising Transpacific rates and declining Asia–Europe rates. Capacity management through blank sailings is evident, and geopolitical tensions add uncertainty.
| Item | Signaal | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|
| Freight Rates | ↑ | Index direction · as of 13 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 | Signaal | Δ | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drewry World Container Index | USD 4,339 per 40 ft | +1% | Drewry WCI (public weekly assessment) · Data date: 13 Aug 2026 · Data date: 13 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 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%) · Source/data date: 13 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: 13 Aug 2026. Weekly/monthly prints keep this date — not automatically "today".
| Item | Signaal | Δ | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai to New York | USD 8,706 per 40 ft | +10% | Data date: 13 Aug 2026, Source: Drewry |
| Shanghai to Los Angeles | USD 6,244 per 40 ft | +6% | Data date: 13 Aug 2026, Source: Drewry |
| Shanghai to Genoa | USD 5,080 per 40 ft | -8% | Data date: 13 Aug 2026, Source: Drewry |
| Shanghai to Rotterdam | USD 4,425 per 40 ft | -5% | Data date: 13 Aug 2026, Source: Drewry |
Carrier Capacity & Blank Sailings
Carriers continue to manage capacity through blank sailings, with 10 cancellations in recent weeks and 7 more planned.
Port & Terminal Intelligence
Port congestion remains a concern, exacerbated by recent weather disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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.
Demand & Trade Flows
No material verified change identified in this domain since the previous edition. Verified index/lane signals (data date 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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.
Geopolitical & Regulatory Impact
No material verified change identified in this domain since the previous edition. Verified index/lane signals (data date 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); 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 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Monitor potential impacts of geopolitical tensions on shipping lanes.
- Anticipate further blank sailings as carriers manage capacity.
Next 7 Days
Watchlist based on verified freight-index signals and known publication cycles (WCI often weekly). Verified index/lane signals (data date 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Potential rate adjustments on major trade routes.
- Impact of announced Panama Canal surcharges.
2–4 Week Outlook
Expect continued volatility in freight rates with potential stabilization if capacity management remains effective.
Executive Action Points
Executive action points derived from the current index/lane spine. Verified index/lane signals (data date 13 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,339 per 40 ft (+1%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,689.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Consider early bookings to mitigate risks of cargo rollovers.
- Evaluate alternative routes to avoid congested ports.
Data Quality & Verification
Research cut-off was 2026-08-19T18:31:17.002Z. A total of 22 usable facts were sourced. All data verified as of the latest available dates.
Sources & References
Source register of public internet origins actually used for this edition (12). 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: 13 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. en.sse.net.cn — Used for: freight_rates, scfi, sse, frequency_note. Original: https://en.sse.net.cn/indices/introduction_scfi.jsp · Type: Industry Research
- 6. en.sse.net.cn — Used for: freight_rates, ccfi, sse. Original: https://en.sse.net.cn/indices/ccfinew.jsp · Type: Industry Research
- 7. portoflosangeles.org — Used for: port_operations, los_angeles, teu. Original: https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics · Type: Primary
- 8. portofrotterdam.com — Used for: port_operations, rotterdam. Original: https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/news-and-press-releases · Type: Primary
- 9. hafen-hamburg.de — Used for: port_operations, hamburg. Original: https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/press/ · Type: Primary
- 10. tritoninternational.com — Used for: leasing, triton. Original: https://www.tritoninternational.com/investors · Type: Industry Research
- 11. cimc.com — Used for: manufacturing, cimc. Original: https://www.cimc.com/en/index.php · Type: Industry Research
- 12. maersk.com — Used for: shipping_lines, maersk. Original: https://www.maersk.com/news · Type: Industry Research