Intra-Asia Freight Markets Close 2025 at 6-Month Peak

The final week of December saw a definitive shift in regional pricing dynamics as the Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) climbed to $716 per 40ft container. While this represents a modest 1% increase in the latter half of the month, it marks the highest pricing level seen in the region since mid-summer. This trend is a clear indicator of a disciplined carrier environment; by effectively managing capacity through selective blank sailings, shipping lines have successfully prevented the rate erosion that plagued the market in early Q4.

Despite being 18% lower than the extraordinary highs of late 2024, the current rate levels suggest a “new baseline” for regional trade. Analysts attribute this resilience to an extended peak season, where manufacturers across China, Vietnam, and India continued high-volume exports well into the final days of the year. This persistent demand, coupled with limited equipment availability at secondary ports, has created a capacity-constrained environment. For OSM Holdings and its partners, this signals a need for earlier booking windows in early 2026, as the lead-up to the Lunar New Year is expected to drive rates even higher by mid-January.

Source: Drewry – Intra-Asia Container Index Dec 31 Update