Daily Industry Briefing
Today's three stories seem unrelated, but they'll all touch your wallet. Freight rates from China to India jumped more than 20% in a month, as shipping lines pull vessels toward the more profitable India route — squeezing space for Southeast Asia (including Malaysia). Shein's H1 operating profit fell by more than half, and when a platform is short on cash, the first things it usually touches are sellers' logistics fees and commissions. Meanwhile, China and the US just agreed on mutual tariff cuts covering USD60 billion in goods, which could cool demand for some cargo previously routed through Malaysia for tax-avoidance re-export — actually easing space competition a bit.
Today's Top 3
1. China-India Route Freight Up 20% in a Month as Carriers Pull Vessels, Squeezing Southeast Asia Space
Spot rates from Shanghai to India's JNPA port have risen 20% since late August, now around USD3700 per TEU and about USD3850 per 40-foot container
The Loadstar · 2026-09-28 · Read Original Article ↗
2. Shein's H1 Operating Profit Plunges Over 50%, Warns Tariff and Logistics Costs Remain Unclear in H2
Shein reported that its adjusted operating profit (EBIT) for H1 2026 fell 50.4% year-on-year, while operating revenue dropped even more sharply, by 52.9%
Free Malaysia Today · 2026-09-28 · Read Original Article ↗
3. China and US Agree Tariff Cuts on USD60 Billion in Goods, Each Side Offering USD30 Billion in Non-Sensitive Items
China and the US agreed to lower tariffs on a combined USD60 billion in bilateral trade goods, covering everything from American corn and cosmetics to Chinese home appliances and toys
The Star · 2026-09-28 · Read Original Article ↗
HASTE Take
Shipping lines are sending vessels to India to make more money, so your Malaysia-bound container has to wait a few more days — this isn't a coincidence, it's the same fleet making a choice
Let's start with the bottom line: if you've noticed booking cargo from China to Malaysia has gotten slower lately, it's probably not your forwarder being inefficient — it's that vessels are making more money elsewhere. Shanghai to India's JNPA port freight rates jumped 20% in a month, now reaching USD3700 per TEU. When carriers see India route can fetch such high prices, naturally they pull vessels that used to serve Southeast Asia routes over there. Once that same vessel gets pulled away, there's less space left for Southeast Asian ports like Malaysia and Singapore — you might have to wait longer to book, or be forced to accept higher rates.
This is a condensed version. The full briefing, with every key point, the cost comparison table and the recommended actions, is published on the Haste website:
The above content is compiled based on public news reports. For specific freight rates, tariffs, and platform policies, please refer to the latest official announcements. Haste is not liable for losses caused by market fluctuations.
