en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI), published by international consultancy Drewry, rose 10% this week to a record high of $1,114 per 40-foot container.
With this latest increase, the index has risen in 11 of the past 12 weeks, and its current level is more than double that before the geopolitical conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Drewry noted that the rise is driven by multiple key factors, including strong regional demand, ongoing port congestion, rising bunker fuel prices, and importers placing orders early to secure supply chains in response to global uncertainties.
The upward momentum is concentrated on routes connecting China with South Asia and Southeast Asia. Spot freight rates from Shanghai to Jawaharlal Nehru Port (India) surged 35% to $2,367 per 40-foot container, while rates from Shanghai to Laem Chabang (Thailand) rose 15% to $1,277.
This pressure stems directly from the decision of Western beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) to ship Christmas goods early. Drewry stated that multiple sources confirm the shipping season has started unusually early, accelerating the movement of components and semi-finished goods within Asia to avoid operational disruptions.
In contrast, routes returning from Southeast Asia to China are underperforming. Rates from Laem Chabang to Shanghai and from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Shanghai fell 7% each, to $232 and $65 per container, respectively.
The logistics ecosystem remains deeply affected by tensions in the Middle East, with rising bunker surcharges and higher bunker fuel prices continuing to push up freight rates. The consultancy added that this situation impacts not only transportation but also manufacturing, with China's Purchasing Materials Price Index (PMI) remaining high at 60.5, reflecting sustained increases in raw material costs since the outbreak of the conflict.
Faced with capacity constraints and port congestion, Drewry analysts expect freight rates to maintain an upward trend in the coming weeks. To respond to market dynamics and improve connectivity, Cosco Shipping Lines announced the launch of a new "SEI2" service in early June, connecting southern China, northern Vietnam, and western India. The route will call at ports including Qinzhou, Yangpu, Haiphong, Singapore, Mundra, and Hong Kong, offering faster transit times and key direct connections such as from Qinzhou to Mundra.
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