Intra-Asia freight indexes are trending near peak levels, supported by strong demand and reflected in US$1 billion of new vessel orders from regional carriers.
According to reporting from The Loadstar, the May 15th Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) for Shanghai–Southeast Asia trades climbed sharply, with rates up 31% year‑over‑year. In parallel, Drewry’s Intra‑Asia Container Index (IACI) also reached its highest level in two years.
In its May 22 index assessment, Drewry highlighted the extent of the surge, noting that geopolitical uncertainty has pulled forward peak-season demand while carriers continue to actively manage vessel capacity. The consultant added, “The index is now nearly 75% higher than pre-Iran conflict levels, reflecting sustained upward pressure from elevated bunker costs, vessel rerouting, tighter effective capacity, and continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.”
Against this backdrop, carriers are expanding their service coverage. The Loadstar and Linerlytica reported that several operators, including X-Press Feeders, OOCL, CNC Line, SITC, COSCO, and Yang Ming, have rolled out new intra-Asia services to capture demand.
At the same time, port infrastructure investments across Asia are supporting higher throughput and making additional vessel deployments commercially viable. Vietnam is one example, as it continues to prioritize logistics as a key national focus. Supported by government policy and large‑scale port development, the country has outlined plans to become a global logistics hub by 2035, aiming reach top 30 ranking by 2050.
The Philippines is emerging as another example of capacity expansion, with investments aimed at increasing container throughput and improving berth productivity. splash247 reported that International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has secured a US$300 million loan to fund expansion and upgrades at three terminals: the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT), and the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT).
Source: Drewry, The Loadstar, Linerlytica, ICTSI