Containerinformatie
Global Container Market Intelligence — August 26, 2026
Vanaf 2026-08-26 (UTC) · Dagelijks twee keer bijgewerkt
Publication Date: 2026-08-26 Publication Time: 2026-08-26T13:33:59.734Z Research Cut-Off: 2026-08-26T13:33:59.734Z 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: 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.
60-second executive summary: Drewry's World Container Index increased by 4% to USD 4,526 per 40ft container as of August 20, 2026, driven by higher Transpacific rates. Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) is at USD 3,570.80 with 0.57% volatility. Transpacific spot rates surged 9% to USD 9,507 and USD 6,802 for Shanghai to New York and Los Angeles, respectively. Asia-Europe rates saw a decline with Shanghai to Genoa and Rotterdam falling 2% and 1%. Emergency Fuel Surcharges announced amid US-Iran tensions.
GCN Market Pulse (editorial)
The container market is experiencing mixed signals with rising Transpacific rates and declining Asia-Europe rates. The introduction of Emergency Fuel Surcharges due to geopolitical tensions adds complexity to the rate environment.
| Item | Signaal | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|
| 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. 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 3,570.80 (0.57% volatility).
| Item | Signaal | Δ | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 3,570.80 | 0.57% volatility | Freightos public FBX · Frequency: check source (often weekly for WCI) |
Market Temperature (GCN editorial assessment)
The market shows a moderate increase in Transpacific rates, while Asia-Europe routes are experiencing slight declines. Overall, the market remains volatile due to geopolitical factors.
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 3,570.80 (0.57% volatility). Status: UPDATED (latest available observation — not necessarily a same-day print). Confidence: HIGH.
Freight Rate Intelligence
Freight rates show significant movement in the Transpacific and Asia-Europe lanes, reflecting geopolitical tensions and capacity management strategies.
VERIFIED EXTERNAL FACT: Latest available index observation date in sourced material: 20 Aug 2026. Weekly/monthly prints keep this date — not automatically "today".
| Item | Signaal | Δ | Opmerking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 3,570.80 | 0.57% volatility | Freightos public FBX · Frequency: check source (often weekly for WCI) |
Carrier Capacity & Blank Sailings
Carriers are managing capacity through blank sailings, particularly on the Transpacific route, to maintain rate stability.
Port & Terminal Intelligence
Congestion at major ports like Shanghai and Rotterdam has eased slightly but remains a concern with average waiting times of 32.3 and 25 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 3,570.80 (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 3,570.80 (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 3,570.80 (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 20 Aug 2026): Drewry World Container Index: USD 4,526 per 40 ft (+4%); Freightos Baltic Index (FBX): USD 3,570.80 (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 3,570.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Treat reliability as a watch item until the next primary publication. Confidence: LOW.
Regional Market Intelligence
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 3,570.80 (0.57% volatility). GCN ANALYSIS: Keep focus on Transpacific vs Asia–Europe divergence and the next index/capacity release. Confidence: LOW–MEDIUM.
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 3,570.80 (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 3,570.80 (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 current market dynamics are shaped by geopolitical tensions and strategic capacity management by carriers, leading to varied rate movements across different trade lanes.
Commercial Implications
Shippers should anticipate potential rate increases and consider booking early to avoid disruptions. Carriers are likely to maintain capacity management strategies to support rates.
Early Warning Radar
Monitor geopolitical developments in the Strait of Hormuz and potential impacts on fuel surcharges and carrier operations.
- Geopolitical tensions may lead to further rate volatility.
- Carriers may announce additional surcharges or capacity adjustments.
Next 7 Days
Expect continued volatility in freight rates and potential announcements of additional blank sailings.
- Watch for updates on Emergency Fuel Surcharges.
- Monitor potential changes in port congestion levels.
2–4 Week Outlook
Freight rates are expected to remain stable with potential upward pressure due to geopolitical factors and capacity management.
Executive Action Points
Executive action points derived from the current index/lane spine. 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 3,570.80 (0.57% volatility).
- Evaluate alternative routes to avoid congested ports.
- Engage with carriers to understand potential surcharge impacts.
Data Quality & Verification
Research cut-off: 2026-08-26T13:33:59.734Z. Verified data from 20 sources. No unverified data included.
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: 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. 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