Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) hits record high of $1,114 as regional freight rates more than double

Drewry, the leading independent maritime research and consulting firm, announced that its Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) has reached a historic record high of $1,114 per 40ft container.

The widely referenced benchmark, a staple for corporate procurement teams across the globe, jumped 10% this week, marking an aggressive upward trajectory that has seen the index strengthen in 11 of the last 12 weeks.

This sustained surge highlights a dramatic tightening of the regional shipping market. Notably, the composite index has now more than doubled in value since the onset of major regional supply chain disruptions following the US/Israeli military actions against Iran, which heavily impacted maritime logistics and insurance premiums across Asian and Middle Eastern trade corridors.

In direct response to heightened market volatility and the urgent demand from procurement teams for real-time data, Drewry has officially transitioned the IACI from a fortnightly to a weekly reporting schedule. This regular weekly cadence ensures that logistics planners, freight forwarders, and cargo owners have access to the most agile, accurate data available to navigate rapid pricing fluctuations.

The IACI tracks actual, real-time spot container freight rates across the region’s most critical trading arteries. The comprehensive benchmark is composed of 18 specific route indices alongside a single, weighted composite index. All figures are reported transparently in USD per 40ft container.

The IACI provides unparalleled market visibility by collecting and analyzing spot freight rates across the following 18 major intra-Asia routes, anchoring regional trade to major hubs like Shanghai, Busan, Yokohama, and Singapore: