Drewry, the leading independent provider of research and consulting services to the maritime and shipping industry, reports that its Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) held steady in the second half of May, recording a marginal dip of just $1 to settle at $655 per 40ft container. The overall index stability masks significant double-digit fluctuations in several of its route-specific sub-indices.
As a weighted average of spot market freight rates across 18 major intra-Asia shipping routes, the IACI remains 11% higher year-on-year, underscoring continued market strength despite short-term fluctuations. Drewry expects intra-Asia freight rates to maintain their current levels over the next month, citing market stability and consistent demand trends within the region.
Updated biweekly, the IACI includes a composite index and 18 individual route-specific indices, all reported in U.S. dollars per 40ft container. This broad base of coverage enables the index to serve as a comprehensive benchmark for the intra-Asia container market.
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
Drewry said the IACI offers a detailed view of the intra-Asia trade lane, reflecting the dynamic pricing patterns within one of the world’s busiest shipping regions. “While the composite index has shown remarkable stability this month, the divergence in underlying trade routes highlights the importance of route-level insights for shippers and logistics professionals.”
