The Ningbo Containerised Freight Index (NCFI) is a weekly composite benchmark reflecting rates for 20 ft, 40 ft, and High Cube containers on key routes from Ningbo, China. Compiled by the Ningbo Shipping Exchange and promoted by the Baltic Exchange, the index is published every Friday (excluding Chinese holidays) at 16:00 Beijing time.
The index is based on actual transactional data contributed by a number of freight forwarders and logistics firms, and it includes most ocean freight surcharges.
Recent week’s movements
Here are the weekly rate changes (26 September vs. 19 September 2025):
Route
Rate on 26 Sept
Rate on 19 Sept
Weekly Change (%)
Ningbo → Europe
614.14
673.61
–8.83%
Ningbo → West Mediterranean
808.94
867.61
–6.76%
Ningbo → East Mediterranean
635.70
706.26
–9.99%
Ningbo → Middle East
536.43
595.87
–9.98%
All four major trade lanes monitored by the index saw declines over the week. The sharpest drop was between Ningbo and the East Mediterranean (–9.99 %) and Ningbo to the Middle East (–9.98 %).
