Intra-Asia rates soften, but carriers continue to add capacity

By Alison Koo 30 July 2026 Intra-Asia rates continue to weaken as market observers say the busy H1 26 for Chinese exports is fading. Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index showed that, as of 23 July, rates from Shanghai to JNPA (Nhava Sheva) slid 4% from 16 July, to $1,667 per 40ft, from Shanghai to Jakarta they were down 4%, to $1,475 per 40ft, and from Shanghai to Kaohsiung they also fell 4% to $1,433 per 40ft. On 24 July, the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index showed the Shanghai-South-east Asia rate lost $10 from 17 July, to $628 per teu, while the Shanghai-Nhava Sheva rate lost $75, to $1,778 per teu. Meanwhile, shipping lines continue to add intra-Asia capacity. Cosco expanded its North-east Asia network by joining Yang Ming’s Japan-Thailand-South China (JTS) service as a vessel provider for the three-week rotation calling Nagoya, Tokyo, Yokohama, Keelung, Kaohsiung, Chiwan, and Xiamen. Sinotrans is expanding its China–India network by slotting on the China–India CSX/CI8 service of Emirates Shipping Line and Evergreen, which it will market as CIW2, connecting north and south China and India’s west coast via Port Klang and Colombo. Drewry said: “The intra-Asia container freight market is showing signs of softening as the peak season loses momentum.” Xeneta’s chief analyst, Peter Sand, added : “We see that a very busy first half (of 2026) for Chinese exports is behind us. Rates have fallen on most trades, overseas as well as intra-Asia, in July. China-South-east Asia rates are sliding, but more so (from China) into India. While Chinese exports in May were at an all-time high (to all destinations), these peaked in April for exports to South-east Asia.” The usual peak season for intra-Asia container shipping runs from July to October, driven by early manufacturing runs and retail inventory buildup. This traditional window is also accompanied by a pre-holiday surge later in the year.