Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) experienced a decline of $3, settling at $601 per 40-foot container in the second half of March. This marks the seventh consecutive fortnightly decrease since mid-December, resulting in a cumulative drop of 36%.
The IACI tracks actual spot container freight rates for key intra-Asia trade routes and is updated biweekly. The index includes 18 route-specific indices, representing major shipping lanes within the region, along with a composite index. All rates are reported in USD per 40-foot container.
The IACI is a volume-weighted index that monitors spot container freight rates across 18 significant intra-Asia routes to and from China. These routes span 3 North/East Asian regions (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan/Republic of China), 5 Southeast Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), and 2 South/West Asian locations (India, United Arab Emirates).
The specific routes included in the IACI are:
- Busan-Shanghai
- Ho Chi Minh City-Shanghai
- Jakarta-Shanghai
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port-Shanghai
- Kaohsiung-Shanghai
- Laem Chabang-Shanghai
- Shanghai-Busan
- Shanghai-Ho Chi Minh City
- Shanghai-Jakarta
- Shanghai-Jawaharlal Nehru Port
- Shanghai-Jebel Ali
- Shanghai-Kaohsiung
- Shanghai-Laem Chabang
- Shanghai-Manila
- Shanghai-Singapore
- Shanghai-Tanjung Pelepas
- Shanghai-Yokohama
- Yokohama-Shanghai
This index provides a comprehensive view of the ongoing trends in intra-Asia shipping costs, offering valuable insights for stakeholders in the shipping industry.
