FreshPlaza published on 18 September 2026 that Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) increased 6% this week to USD 1,402 per 40-foot container, reaching a record high for the fourth consecutive week. The report attributes pressure to geopolitical developments, typhoon-related disruption, and capacity constraints on intra-Asia shipping.
Spot rates from China to Southeast and South Asia rose ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday. Shanghai to Laem Chabang rose 15% to USD 1,324 per 40ft; Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City rose 15% to USD 1,161. Shanghai to Jebel Ali increased 13% to USD 8,509 per 40ft, with rates also up on alternative routings via Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Elsewhere in Asia, Busan–Shanghai rose 8% to USD 128 and Yokohama–Shanghai rose 7% to USD 110 per 40ft.
On congestion, FreshPlaza cites week-37 average vessel waiting times of 78 hours at Shanghai (up 13 hours week on week) and 77 hours at Ningbo (up 11 hours from week 36). Separately, ONE increased its emergency fuel surcharge on short-haul regional routes from USD 38 to USD 60 per TEU from 16 September. CMA CGM restructured China–Middle East CIMEX1 and CIMEX3 from mid-September: CIMEX1 removes Qingdao, Hong Kong, and Sohar; CIMEX3 adds Qingdao and Sohar alongside Ningbo, Shekou, Colombo, Fujairah, and Singapore, lengthening turnaround from seven to eight weeks. Drewry expects freight rates to stabilise in the coming weeks.