The Drewry Intra-Asia Container Freight Index (IACI) fell by 13% in the first half of July, reaching $704/FEU. The IACI is a weighted average of spot freight rates on 18 major intra-Asia routes and is currently 31% lower than the same period in 2024. Drewry predicts that intra-Asia freight rates will remain stable in the second half of the month.
Source: Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
Since Q2, container volumes from Greater China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East have continued to rise, with growth rates leading the entire Asian region. The Red Sea crisis has driven strong demand on westbound Persian Gulf routes, but capacity constraints have kept freight rates stubbornly high. Southeast Asia routes have seen increased imports due to factory recovery, while South Asia routes resumed growth after a 2024 slowdown. For the first time, the combined demand on these three routes has surpassed that of Asia-Europe/Mediterranean routes, becoming a market highlight.
Source: Drewry Supply Chain Advisors
