ports

Intra-Asia Freight Rates Slide as Early Peak Season Winds Down

Containerized freight rates across intra-Asia trade routes are declining as the region's early peak season concludes and port congestion eases. The Shanghai-South-east Asia rate fell 6% to $628 per twenty-foot equivalent unit on July 10, marking a third consecutive weekly decline. Key tradelanes showed similar weakness: Shanghai to Jawaharlal Nehru Port dropped 13% to $1,883 per 40-foot container, while Shanghai to Manila declined 10% to $497 per 40ft. Ho Chi Minh City rates decreased 6% to $858 per 40ft. Manila Port congestion eased notably, with vessel waiting times falling 7.8 hours week-over-week. Despite rate pressure, capacity expansion continues across the region. China United Lines launched its South Korea-China-India service to complement existing offerings, as manufacturers diversify production capacity amid ongoing trade tensions.