Weekly logistics and ocean freight report: October 13, 2026

A softer week on East–West lanes, with upward pressure towards South America. The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell 2% to US$4,351 per 40ft container (Oct 8, 2026), as demand slowed during China's Golden Week. The global Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) was practically flat at US$3,344/FEU (Oct 9–10). By contrast, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM announced a GRI of +US$1,000 per container from October 15 on routes from Asia to the West Coast (WCSA) and East Coast (ECSA) of South America.

Global indices

The WCI has now declined for three weeks in a row: US$4,468 (Sep 24), US$4,434 (Oct 1) and US$4,351 (Oct 8). The global FBX moved from US$3,484 (Sep 5) to US$3,344 (Oct 10), almost flat over the last two weeks. Shanghai's SCFI edged up just 1.81 points (+0.05%) to 3,664.11, ending two weeks of declines; the CCFI slipped 0.6%.

Main East–West routes

According to Drewry (Oct 8), on the Transpacific Shanghai–Los Angeles fell 3% to US$7,624 and Shanghai–New York 2% to US$10,220 per 40ft container. On Asia–Europe, Shanghai–Rotterdam dropped 2% to US$3,337 and Shanghai–Genoa was stable at US$3,696; this trade has now declined for 13 consecutive weeks. Carriers are trying to raise FAK rates in the second half of October, but Drewry sees their implementation as uncertain, mainly because the faster-than-expected return to the Suez route is adding capacity.

In the FBX (week 41), China–US West Coast closed at US$8,106/FEU (−US$228), US East Coast at US$9,606, North Europe at US$3,260 and the Mediterranean at US$3,861. In the SCFI (Oct 9), Europe rose to US$2,274/TEU (+2.2%), the Mediterranean to US$3,002/TEU (+0.2%), the US West Coast stood at US$7,584/FEU (+0.08%) and the US East Coast at US$10,524/FEU (−0.04%).

Focus on South America: Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Peru

While global indices soften, the lanes the region's importers rely on most are moving the other way. From October 15, Hapag-Lloyd applies +US$1,000 per container (20ft and 40ft dry and 40ft NOR) from the Far East to WCSA (including Chile and Peru) and ECSA (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), and CMA CGM +US$1,000 from Asia to both coasts of South America. As always with GRIs, actual take-up depends on demand and on what other carriers do.

As a pre-increase reference, Global Resources (Sep 15, 2026 report) indicated for the Oct 1–14 window ranges of US$6,800–7,100 per 40ft GP to WCSA (US$6,100–6,300 per 20ft) and US$8,700–9,000 per 40ft GP to ECSA (US$8,200–8,500 per 20ft). These are indicative market levels that vary by carrier and port. For the second half of October, the same report flags a "slight rebound risk" on both coasts. To size September's correction, Platts put North Asia–ECSA at US$8,300/FEU in the week ended Sep 18, down from US$9,200 on Sep 4 (Datamar). In the Oct 9 SCFI, the West Coast of South America was among the routes posting slight gains.

Bunker and operations

Singapore VLSFO traded at US$889.50 per tonne on Oct 9 (Ship & Bunker); other references place it in a US$890–900 band in mid-October. Drewry expects 34 blank sailings out of 713 scheduled between weeks 42 and 46 (≈5%): 50% on Asia–North Europe/Mediterranean, 32% on the Transpacific eastbound and 18% on the Transatlantic. Four Transpacific cancellations were announced for this week, versus eleven the week before, meaning more available capacity. The gradual return via Suez adds supply on Asia–Europe, while Red Sea risk remains. In Panama, the 14.63 m draft keeps weight checks strict and makes heavy cargo harder to book.

Outlook

Drewry expects stable rates next week on the Transpacific and Asia–Europe, in a market that will remain volatile. For South America, the key is how much of the October 15 GRI actually sticks: if cargo is ready at origin, it is worth booking and confirming the rate before that date.

At Solo Rep we help clients with projects in Argentina and Chile read this logistics context when planning purchases and shipments. Write to us at [email protected] or through Contact.