Container freight markets showed contrasting regional trends in the latest readings, with several indicators pointing to stronger Transpacific rates while Europe and the Mediterranean faced broader downward pressure. China’s main export freight indexes also moved higher overall, reinforcing a relatively firm headline picture despite significant differences between individual trade lanes. Chinese export indexes move higher The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) increased approximately 2.9% to 3,509.54 points on 28 August. The broader China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) also moved higher, gaining 0.7% to 1,833.99 points. However, individual trades showed different trends. The CCFI’s US East Coast component increased 1.9% and Europe gained 1.3%, while the Mediterranean declined 4.3% and the US West Coast edged 0.2% lower. The Ningbo Containerized Freight Index (NCFI) reinforced the positive headline picture, rising 1.9% to 2,607.4 points. Rates increased across 14 of the 21 routes monitored by the index. NYFI points to stronger Transpacific rates The NYSHEX Freight Index (NYFI) showed gains on both major Asia-US trades in its 28 August readings. Asia-US West Coast increased approximately 5.4% to 6,299.85 from 5,978.77, while Asia-US East Coast rose around 4.0% to 8,232.85 from 7,915.03. Asia-North Europe moved in the opposite direction, declining approximately 2.2% to 4,232.85. The Transatlantic market was mixed. Westbound rates declined 3.46% to 2,567.28, while eastbound rates increased 5.44% to 1,168.84. NYFI is based on actual shipped container transactions, providing a transaction-based view of freight-rate movements across its covered trades. WCI declines as European routes soften Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) decreased 1% to US$4,473 per 40-foot container in its 27 August assessment. Shanghai-New York rates declined 2% to US$9,333 per 40-foot container, while Shanghai-Los Angeles remained stable at US$6,818. The decline was