What did China container freight indices do in the week to 12 November 2026?
Mainlane container spot indices softened in early November 2026 after several rising weeks—yet that does not automatically lower your sailing quote. Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s SCFI on 6 November fell 1.46% to 3,633.45; Drewry’s World Container Index on 5 November was $4,389 per 40-foot container (−1%); Freightos on 10 November showed Asia–North Europe down 5% to $3,422. Freightos reported that 1 November general rate increases (GRIs) failed on transpacific and Asia–Europe, with transpacific expected to firm in December ahead of Lunar New Year. Dalian Yihang Shipping Agency Co., Ltd. (Class-A forwarder, NVOCC, AEO advanced-certified, founded 2020) cites these public figures for planning only—your prepaid quote on /quote/ follows port, equipment, and validity on your file, not the index composite.
Dalian Yihang Shipping Agency Co., Ltd. — Class-A international freight forwarder, NVOCC (Ministry of Transport), AEO advanced-certified (founded 2020). One desk for routing, documents, and prepaid ocean freight. Reply on business files within 24 hours.
Down 1%; lane detail on /insights/index-5-november-2026/
Freightos Asia–North Europe (10 Nov 2026)
$3,422
Down 5% on Freightos weekly update
What you would track alone vs what to send Yihang (index planning)
Alone: three publishers, different units, weekly moves, GRI rumours, and blank-sailing chatter—updated every Thursday.
To us: load port, destination, equipment, weight, and cargo-ready week on /quote/ or WhatsApp +86 138 4269 5704.
We read SCFI, Drewry, and Freightos as context; you get one prepaid quote with validity and named surcharges—not a homework list.
Ask explicitly for rate validity; do not ask the desk to “match SCFI.”
If the quote is for December loading, ask whether transpacific firming commentary in Freightos applies to your gateway week.
If the quote is Europe-bound, pair this note with routing and congestion planning on /insights/china-europe-suez-vs-cape-routing-late-2026/.
If the cargo is heavy lift or breakbulk, read /insights/freight-forwarder-before-equipment-contract/—container indices do not track MPP hire.
What is the SCFI and what did it show on 6 November 2026?
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) is published by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange as a weekly snapshot of container spot freight levels from China.
On 6 November 2026 the SCFI composite was 3,633.45, down 1.46% week on week—the first drop in five weeks on that series, per SSE and trade reporting.
Named legs on the SSE release that week included US West Coast $7,381 per FEU, US East Coast $9,857 per FEU, North Europe $2,325 per TEU, and Mediterranean $3,393 per TEU.
SCFI uses different units by lane (TEU vs FEU). Compare like with like when you align an index line to your equipment.
What is the Drewry World Container Index (WCI)?
Drewry’s World Container Index is a composite of spot rates on selected deep-sea routes, expressed per 40-foot container on the lanes Drewry publishes each Thursday.
On 5 November 2026 Drewry’s composite was $4,389 per 40ft, down 1% week on week, about 124% higher year on year on Drewry’s measure—full lane breakdown on /insights/index-5-november-2026/.
Drewry and SCFI can move differently the same week because their baskets, sampling, and units differ.
What is a GRI—and did November 2026 GRIs hold?
A general rate increase (GRI) is a carrier announcement to raise base ocean freight on a trade lane from a stated effective date.
Freightos on 10 November 2026 reported that GRIs announced for 1 November 2026 failed to hold on transpacific and Asia–Europe in Freightos’ spot assessment.
A failed GRI week can still leave your quote higher than last month if equipment, bunker surcharges, or port congestion premiums moved on your sailing.
Ask for validity on the quote; do not assume the index headline equals your box.
How Yihang handles this for you (rate timing and GRIs)
We price your port pair and sailing week with a written validity date—so you are not guessing whether a failed GRI or a December firming headline applies to your box.
We name surcharges on the quote (equipment, OOG, DG, etc.) instead of sending you back to index blogs.
Prepaid ocean freight only; destination charges listed when you ask. Email hello@yihang-shipping.com for written quotes.
What should December 2026 shippers watch on transpacific?
Freightos expected transpacific rates to rise in December ahead of Lunar New Year pre-booking, in the same 10 November weekly update.
Pre-holiday planning for factory cutoffs: /insights/china-new-year-2027/.
US lane context: /lanes/china-to-usa/.
Why did Asia–Europe soften while Europe ports still congest?
Freightos described Asia–Europe as weaker in early November even as Suez routings shorten voyages and bunch arrivals in North Europe.
Congestion planning is separate from the index—see /insights/china-europe-suez-vs-cape-routing-late-2026/.
Softer spot indices do not guarantee short yard queues at Rotterdam, Hamburg, or Antwerp.
How Yihang handles this for you (Europe-bound bookings)
We confirm voyage routing (Suez vs Cape) on the booking and flag schedule changes—paired with optional Antwerp/Hamburg quotes when Rotterdam risk is high.
Single point of contact from Dalian load ports through prepaid ocean booking; export clearance on our AEO file when you book that service.
You send cargo details once; we chase carrier acceptance and validity—not another index article.
What should I send Yihang for a quote this week?
Origin city and preferred load port in China (Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, etc.).
Destination port or door address, Incoterm, and cargo-ready window.
Commodity description, HS code if known, gross weight, CBM, container count or equipment type.
For OOG: L×W×H per piece, lifting points, photos.
State whether you need rate validity for a specific week—or comparison across two sailing weeks.
Dalian Yihang Shipping Agency Co., Ltd. was founded in 2020, holds Class-A international freight forwarder status and NVOCC registration with China’s Ministry of Transport, and is AEO advanced-certified.
We read weekly indices to explain market direction to shippers; we do not publish carrier tariffs on the website.
North China loads often connect via feeder into hub ports—the index basket may centre on Shanghai while your quote prices from Dalian or Tianjin.
The reply within 24 hours names routing, equipment acceptance, and quote validity—not a copy of SCFI or Drewry.
Linked pages are the publishers’ own. A figure on this page is theirs, for the date named. It is not a Yihang rate.
Questions shippers ask
What was the SCFI on 6 November 2026?
Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s SCFI composite was 3,633.45, down 1.46% week on week—the first drop in five weeks on the SSE series. Named legs that day included US West Coast $7,381/FEU, US East Coast $9,857/FEU, North Europe $2,325/TEU, and Mediterranean $3,393/TEU. Those are SSE figures, not a Yihang rate.
What is the difference between SCFI and Drewry WCI?
SCFI is Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s weekly index from China, often quoted per TEU or FEU by lane. Drewry WCI is Drewry’s Thursday composite per 40-foot container on a different lane basket. They can diverge the same week; use each only with its publisher and date.
Did November GRIs hold on transpacific and Asia–Europe?
Freightos on 10 November 2026 reported that 1 November GRIs failed to hold on transpacific and Asia–Europe in their spot basket. Your sailing may still carry surcharges or equipment premiums outside the index—ask for validity on /quote/.
Will transpacific rates rise in December 2026?
Freightos expected transpacific rates to rise in December ahead of Lunar New Year in its 10 November update. That is publisher commentary for the index basket, not a guarantee for your port pair—send ready date and gateways for a validity-dated quote.
Why does this note cite SCFI, Drewry, and Freightos together?
Each publisher samples different lanes and units. Yihang cites them as public context; the desk quotes your port pair and week with a validity date on /quote/.
Can I book the SCFI or Freightos number?
No. Indices describe the market on a date. Your shipment needs commodity, weight, equipment, and sailing week. Request a prepaid quote on /quote/.
Does a falling index mean my Europe quote will drop?
Not automatically. Equipment, blank sailings, OOG acceptance, and discharge congestion can keep a quote flat while indices fall. Europe routing: /lanes/china-to-europe/.
Where are older Drewry weeks?
All weekly notes are listed newest-first on /insights/container-freight-rate-index/, including /insights/index-5-november-2026/ for the 5 November Drewry lane table.
