Drewry announced today that its Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) experienced a significant downturn in the second half of September 2025, falling 9% to reach a spot rate of $554 per 40ft container.
The sharp decline pushes the composite index to a level 6% lower than its value recorded in September 2024, signaling continued weakness in regional container freight demand. Drewry analysis indicates that this downtrend is expected to persist into the first half of October.
The Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) serves as a critical barometer for regional trade, reporting the weighted average of actual spot container freight rates across 18 major trade routes within Asia. It provides shippers, carriers, and logistics providers with an accurate and timely assessment of regional pricing dynamics.
The IACI tracks key routes, including, but not limited to, trade lanes connecting major ports such as Busan, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Kaohsiung, Laem Chabang, Manila, Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas, Yokohama, Jebel Ali, and the pivotal hub of Shanghai. All IACI indices are reported in US Dollars (USD) per 40ft container and are updated fortnightly.
Drewry will continue to monitor the market closely and release its next update on the IACI trend in mid-October.
