The SCFI (Shanghai Containerized Freight Index) data presented on this page is based on official figures published by the Shanghai Shipping Exchange (SSE).
The market analysis and commentary reference and excerpt information from the Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) Weekly Integrated Report. Relevant news articles and posts on ๐ have also been used as supplementary sources.
2009/10/16 SCFI Launch
Shanghai Shipping Exchange officially launches the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (base = 1,000)
2010/07/02 Post-GFC Recovery Peak
Peak of the recovery period following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (1,583.18)
2016/03/18 Overcapacity Low (All-time Low)
SCFI hits its historical low of 400.43 amid severe vessel oversupply.
2016/08/31 Hanjin Shipping Receivership
Hanjin Shipping, then the worldโs 7th-largest container carrier, files for court receivership.
2018/07/06 US-China Trade War Begins
United States imposes the first round of tariffs on Chinese goods, marking the start of the trade war.
2019/12/31 COVID-19 Outbreak Begins
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei Province, China, reported a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause to the WHO.
2020/03/11 COVID-19 Pandemic Declared
World Health Organization officially declares COVID-19 a global pandemic.
2021/03/23 Ever Given Blocks Suez Canal
Ultra-large container vessel Ever Given runs aground, blocking the Suez Canal for six days.
2021/05/24 Yantian Port Disruption
COVID-related restrictions and congestion severely disrupt operations at Yantian International Container Terminal.
2022/01/07 SCFI All-time High (5,109.60)
SCFI reaches its record high of 5,109.60 during the peak of pandemic-driven supply chain disruption.
2022/02/24Russia-Ukraine War
Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
2022/03/28Shanghai Full Lockdown
Shanghai begins city-wide COVID lockdown, severely impacting the worldโs largest container port.
2023/03/10Post-Pandemic Low (906.55)
SCFI bottoms at 906.55 after the pandemic-driven boom ends and demand normalizes.
2023/11/19Galaxy Leader Hijacked
Houthi forces seize the car carrier Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea, escalating regional tensions.
2023/12/15Major Carriers Suspend Red Sea Transits
Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM and other major carriers suspend Red Sea / Suez Canal transit and begin Cape of Good Hope diversions.
2024/07/05Red Sea Diversion Peak (3,733.80)
SCFI peaks at 3,733.80 driven by prolonged Red Sea crisis and capacity absorption from longer routes.
2025/04/02US Reciprocal Tariffs Announced
U.S. announces broad reciprocal tariffs on multiple trading partners (โLiberation Dayโ).
2025/05/12US-China 90-Day Tariff Truce
United States and China agree to a temporary 90-day reduction in reciprocal tariffs.
2026/02/28Iran War & Hormuz Shock
U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran trigger severe disruption and heightened risk in the Strait of Hormuz.
