SCFI

The SCFI (Shanghai Containerized Freight Index) is the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s spot container-freight benchmark, reflecting export spot rates from Shanghai across 15 major trade lanes. It is published weekly, on Fridays, from rate data collected from carriers, forwarders, and shippers, with a composite base of 1000 set at 1 January 1998. The SCFI quotes individual lane rates in dollars per TEU (or per FEU on some lanes), so it captures the volatile Shanghai export spot market rather than contract rates. It contrasts with the CCFI, which covers all major Chinese ports and blends spot and contract rates. The SCFI underlies container freight derivatives.