Shipping intelligence provider Esgian points to a cooling in heavy lift and multipurpose activity on the Far East–Southeast Asia corridor, with vessel calls losing steam over the past 20 months.
In early 2024, sailings peaked at 58 in March but the route has struggled to maintain that momentum. Esgian reports a gradual slowdown through the second half of 2024, with just 31 sailings reported in October 2024.
A modest rebound followed toward the end of 2024 and in early 2025, stabilising between 40–45 sailings per month during the first quarter. However, from mid-2025 onward, the route saw a steady decline, with monthly sailings mostly hovering around 32–33, except for a brief uptick in September (44).
Competition on the lane remains intense. ECL led the way with 127 sailings on the route between January 2024 and October 2025, followed closely by COSCO Heavy Transport (124) and NYK Bulk & Projects (116). Together, the three firms account for 41 percent of total activity. BBC Chartering (62), JSI Alliance (56), and MOL Drybulk (55) also maintained a steady presence.
“The route remains highly competitive, with leading operators supported by a diverse mix of regional and project-focused carriers sustaining trade flows between the two regions,” said Esgian.
