Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) experienced a notable 8% increase in the first half of June, reaching $707 per 40ft container. This uptick suggests a potential shift in the intra-Asia container freight market, despite the index remaining 27% lower than its June 2024 level.
The IACI, a robust weighted average of spot rates across 18 key trade routes within Asia, provides critical insights into the region’s dynamic shipping landscape. Drewry anticipates a continued uptrend in freight rates, driven by a confluence of factors including escalating port congestion, the impact of recent US tariffs, and evolving global trade patterns.
Drewry said the recent rise in the IACI reflects the inherent volatility and responsiveness of the intra-Asia shipping market. While rates are still below last year’s figures, the current momentum, influenced by external pressures like port congestion and trade policy, indicates a potential rebalancing of the market in the coming months.
The Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) is a reliable source for actual spot container freight rates, updated fortnightly. It comprises 18 route-specific indices, each representing individual shipping routes, alongside a comprehensive composite index. All indices are reported in USD per 40ft container.
The 18 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
