Intra-Asia Rates Hold at High Level: Singapore Up 2%, New China–Cambodia–Thailand Loop Opens Late October

2026-10-13 / Freight rates

Rates steady after Golden Week, still far above last year

Drewry reported on 12 October that its Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) slipped 1% last week to USD 1,503 per FEU, following six consecutive weekly increases. The index remains more than 200% higher than a year ago. Post-holiday softness trimmed spot rates from Greater China to Southeast and Northeast Asia, but network adjustments limited the decline.

Southeast Asia lanes mixed

Shanghai–Laem Chabang fell 3% to USD 1,690/FEU and Shanghai–Manila stood at USD 1,027/FEU, while rates to the transshipment hubs of Singapore and Tanjung Pelepas each rose 2%, reaching USD 2,123 and USD 2,100/FEU. Amid persistent congestion in the Philippines, at least one carrier has stopped accepting new bookings to Manila, Batangas and Subic Bay.

Longer berthing waits at Shanghai and Ningbo

Vessel bunching pushed average week-40 waiting times to 74 hours in Shanghai and 58 hours in Ningbo. With the tail of the typhoon season, schedule delays are common at South and East China ports — allow a 3–5 day buffer.

New loop and surcharges

OOCL will launch its China–Cambodia–Thailand service (CCT4) on 23 October 2026, calling at Nansha, Shekou, Sihanoukville and Songkhla — welcome extra capacity for Cambodia and Thailand. On the cost side, with Brent crude holding above USD 100/bbl, CMA CGM has applied a USD 75/TEU emergency bunker surcharge on intra-Asia trades from 1 October. Confirm current surcharges when booking.

What shippers should do

Space into Singapore and Port Klang remains tight — book 1–2 weeks ahead; watch CCT4 maiden sailings for Cambodia and Thailand cargo; and have quotes itemise bunker, peak-season and congestion surcharges to avoid mid-course additions.