Drewry announced that the Container Index in Asia (IACI) has increased by 6% this week, reaching $1491 per 40-foot container. This increase marks a new record for the fifth consecutive week, reflecting the ongoing impacts of geopolitical disruptions and storm-related issues on supply chains and existing capacity constraints.
Rate Changes on Key Routes
Spot rates from China to South and East Asia have strengthened, reaching historical highs for some routes. For example, the rate from Shanghai to Laem Chabang has increased by 22% to $1609 per 40-foot container, and rates to Jakarta have also risen by 12%, reaching $2300 per 40-foot container. A fire at the NPCT1 terminal in Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, on September 21, 2026, caused short-term operational disruptions, where 51 ISO tanks and one container containing hazardous materials were burned.
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Impacts of Geopolitical Conditions and High Fuel Costs
Meanwhile, the deteriorating situation in the Middle East continues to drive up rates, with Shanghai to Jebel Ali rates increasing by 2% for the third consecutive week, reaching $8712 per 40-foot container. Rates on alternative routes, including those passing through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India, have also risen. Storm-related disruptions and ongoing traffic have severely impacted operational efficiency at Chinese ports, with the average waiting time for ships increasing to 83 hours in Shanghai and 38 hours in Ningbo in week 38, which is 8 hours longer than week 37.
Drewry predicts that shipping rates will stabilize in the coming weeks. Spot rates on trade routes across South and Northeast Asia have generally remained stable, except for routes starting from Busan and Laem Chabang. Rates from Busan to Shanghai and from Laem Chabang to Shanghai have increased by 6%, reaching $136 and $205 per 40-foot container, respectively.
Companies X-Press Feeders, Pacific International Lines (PIL), and Namsung Shipping are launching a new service between North and South China–Singapore–Malaysia called NCX in late October. This four-week service will include the cities of Xingang, Qingdao, Xiamen, Singapore, Port Klang, Penang, and Nansha, utilizing four vessels with a capacity of 2500 to 3600 TEU. This service expands Namsung's coverage in Malaysia by adding Penang to its networks. For Namsung, it also provides a new weekly link between Tianjin and the straits.
In support of Iran, Houthi forces have entered ongoing conflicts and advanced along the Red Sea coast of Yemen, seizing strategic territories vital for controlling the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This situation has put additional pressure on shipping rates, with high fuel costs and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran adding to these pressures. Brent crude oil prices have been trading above $100 per barrel since early September, as market conditions remain uncertain.
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