Manufacturing diversification away from China drives record Southeast Asia-U.S. airfreight surge, with Taiwan leading semiconductor demand.
Airfreight volumes from Southeast Asia to the United States have surged to their highest growth rate of the year, underscoring a major shift in global manufacturing away from China.
The latest WorldACD data shows that even with new U.S. tariffs and the end of the de minimis exemption, regional demand for Asia-Pacific-to-U.S. air cargo remains well above last year’s levels.
📈 Southeast Asia Leads 2025 Growth
In week 46, air cargo tonnages from the Asia-Pacific region to the U.S. were up 6% year-on-year, led by Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
“Demand from Southeast Asia origins to the U.S. was up 40% year-on-year in October, the highest monthly growth figure in 2025,” according to WorldACD.
Over the first ten months of 2025, Southeast Asia-U.S. tonnages averaged nearly 26% growth year-on-year, signaling sustained momentum even amid global trade realignment.
🇹🇼 Taiwan and Southeast Asia Fuel Semiconductor Demand
While much of the region has benefited, Taiwan’s airfreight exports have seen exceptional growth thanks to global demand for semiconductor chips, particularly those used in AI technologies.
Air imports from Taiwan have been consistently 30–50% higher this year. Similar increases have been seen from Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, where electronics and semiconductor components dominate air export flows.
In week 46, year-on-year tonnage growth to the U.S. reached:
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Taiwan +41%
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Vietnam +60%
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Thailand +37%
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Malaysia +62%
🇨🇳 China and Hong Kong See Declines
By contrast, China’s airfreight exports to the U.S. fell 2% year-on-year in week 46, while Hong Kong dropped 16% and South Korea slipped 10%. Combined, China and Hong Kong volumes are down nearly 6% year-to-date, reflecting U.S. importers’ shift toward supply diversification.
“Many importers are sourcing from alternative countries across Asia to mitigate tariff exposure and geopolitical risk,” noted WorldACD.
💹 Spot Rates and Seasonal Trends
Ahead of Black Friday and Thanksgiving, airfreight rates from Asia Pacific have climbed in recent weeks, though they remain lower than last year’s elevated levels.
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Average spot rates rose 4% week-on-week in week 46.
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Compared with 2024, rates are still 11% lower.
This seasonal rate increase underscores continued strong consumer demand in the U.S. and capacity pressure on trans-Pacific lanes.
🌏 Outlook: Structural Shift in Asian Air Trade
The latest figures confirm a structural shift in global air cargo flows, with manufacturing diversification—especially in electronics and semiconductors—driving record U.S.-bound volumes from emerging production hubs in Southeast Asia.
Industry analysts expect this trend to continue into 2026 as global companies pursue China-plus-one sourcing strategies and invest in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Taiwan as long-term alternatives.
Source: www.aircargonews.net