由 caicai8478 Market background and growth momentum
In recent years, Southeast Asia’s cross-border shipping market has been experiencing unprecedented rapid growth. According to the latest industry data, Southeast Asia’s regional shipping trade volume will increase by 12.5% year-on-year in 2022-2023, far exceeding the global average growth rate of 3.4%. This explosive growth is mainly due to:
Accelerated regional economic integration: The full implementation of RCEP has promoted the reduction of trade barriers among member countries
Manufacturing transfer wave: The restructuring of the global supply chain has prompted a large number of manufacturing industries to move to Southeast Asia
Booming e-commerce cross-border trade: The scale of Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market is expected to exceed US$230 billion in 2025
Infrastructure construction is accelerating: Governments are increasing investment in port and shipping infrastructure
Evolution of the emerging port pattern
Vietnam’s core hub
Haiphong Port: Lach Phase II of Huyen Deepwater Port project completed, capable of accommodating 18,000TEU container ships
Cai Mep Port: Throughput exceeds 7 million TEU in 2023, becoming a new hub in southern Vietnam
Thailand strategic layout
Laem Chabang Port: Phase III expansion project launched, aiming to achieve 18 million TEU annual throughput in 2026
Construction of supporting port clusters in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) accelerated
Indonesian archipelago network
Tanjung Priek Port: Jakarta’s new flagship port, leading in automation in the region
Batam Island: positioned as a regional transshipment center, transshipment volume increased by 40% in 2023
Philippines potential market
Subic Bay: Deeply developed as a core hub in Northern Luzon
Davao Port: Serving Mindanao and the Eastern ASEAN Growth Area
Route Network Innovation
Regional Feeder Network Densification:
New weekly route from Manila-Port Klang-Ho Chi Minh
Opening of Surabaya-Bangkok-Haiphong Triangle Express
China-Southeast Asia dedicated line upgrade:
The Beibu Gulf Port to ASEAN countries route increased to 25 flights per week
“Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area-ASEAN” daily route opened
Emerging intermodal transport model:
Haiphong-Kunming railway-sea transport channel normalized operation
Mekong River cross-border “land-sea express line” trial operation
Competitive landscape and strategic cooperation
Adjustment of shipping alliances:
2M Alliance’s new routes in Southeast Asia account for 35%
OCEAN Alliance launches exclusive service network in ASEAN
The rise of local enterprises:
Vinalines expands regional market share to 18%
RCL focuses on feeder network construction
Layout of Chinese enterprises:
COSCO Shipping holds Gwadar Port-Southeast Asia route
China Merchants Port participates in the operation of multiple emerging ports
Challenges and opportunities coexist
Infrastructure bottleneck:
The rear collection and distribution system of some emerging ports is not yet perfect
Significant differences in customs clearance efficiency
Digital opportunities:
Blockchain ocean bills of lading are piloted in the region
Smart port construction is accelerated (such as PSA Singapore’s Tuas Super Port)
Green transformation:
The first LNG bunkering center in the region was opened in Singapore
Johor Port in Malaysia piloted ammonia fuel preparation port
Future Outlook
It is expected that by 2026, the cross-border shipping market in Southeast Asia will show the following trends:
Forming 3-5 regional hub ports with 10 million TEUs
The route density in the region will increase by another 30-40%
The professional division of labor between emerging ports and mature hubs is more clear
The synergy between cross-border shipping, land transportation and air transportation has been significantly enhanced
With the continued release of dividends from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the deepening of the construction of the ASEAN Economic Community, the cross-border shipping market in Southeast Asia will continue to maintain a growth rate higher than the global average and become one of the most dynamic growth poles in the global shipping industry. Market participants need to pay close attention to key development trends such as port infrastructure upgrades, route network optimization and digital innovation to seize the strategic opportunities in this regional market.