India export space availability index - 17th to 23rd Aug 2026 (week 34)

LogisticsWall launches India export space availability index - where can exporters still get container space?

Freight rates tell exporters what shipping costs. Space availability tells them whether they can actually ship.

That distinction is becoming increasingly important in India's container export market.

To address this, LogisticsWall is launching the LogisticsWall India Export Space Availability Index (LW-IESAI) — a weekly indicator showing the availability of container space from India to major global trade lanes.

The first assessment covers 17–23 August 2026 (Week 34) and shows a sharply divided market, with tight or restricted space across several long-haul trades while Far East and Oceania currently offer comparatively better availability.

LogisticsWall already publishes the LogisticsWall Indian Container Freight Index (LW-ICFI) to track ocean freight movements. The new index addresses the other critical question facing exporters:

What will I pay — and can I actually get space?

Together, the two indicators are designed to give exporters a more complete view of India's container shipping market.

A new weekly view of India's export space

The LW-IESAI tracks the sensitivity of booking releases for 20', 40' and 40HC containers from India to major destinations.

The index uses three simple categories:

🔴 Red — No space: Bookings are unavailable, severely restricted or repeatedly rolled.

🟡 Yellow — Tight space: Some bookings are being released, but generally in limited lots or with booking difficulties.

🟢 Green — Good space: Most normal booking requirements are being accommodated with comparatively better availability.

The assessment is based on weekly market observations across major carriers including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd and other lines serving Indian ports.

Week 34: long-haul space remains under pressure

The first weekly assessment shows that exporters face significantly different conditions depending on destination.

Freight is rising — and space is becoming a separate problem

The timing of the index is significant.

Carriers are already applying substantial peak-season surcharges on India-origin cargo.

CMA CGM's $4,000 per container PSS for cargo from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Middle East Gulf and Red Sea ports to the US East Coast, US Gulf Coast and connected inland destinations is applicable from 1 August to 31 August 2026. The charge applies to 20', 40' and 40HC containers among others.

Maersk has also announced significant PSS levels for Indian Subcontinent and Middle East cargo to North American destinations, including a $4,000 charge from 4 August for US and Canadian West Coast traffic, subsequently revised to $5,000 from 15 August.

For US East Coast and Gulf traffic, Maersk's August tariff has also moved higher, with North West India at $5,650 for 20' and 40'/40HC from 15 August under the applicable PSS structure.

The message for exporters is clear: higher freight and restricted space can now occur together.

Why LogisticsWall is tracking both

This is where the two LogisticsWall indicators complement each other.

LW-ICFI – Logisticswall Indian Container Freight Index for Ocean Exports

Tracks the price of container freight.

It helps answer:

How much will it cost to move my container?

LW-IESAI – Logistics wall Indian Exports Space Availability Index

Tracks the availability of container space.

It helps answer:

Can I get my container booked on the required trade lane?

An exporter can therefore see a situation where freight is expensive but space is available, or where freight is expensive and space is difficult to secure.

The second situation is particularly important because waiting for a cheaper rate can result in a missed sailing or rollover when space is restricted.

How the index is weighted – Methodology

The trade-lane assessment is consolidated across India's major export regions using the current LogisticsWall regional weighting:

• West India — 72%

• South India — 22%

• East India — 6%

Individual trade lanes are assessed according to observed booking-release conditions, after which the regional weighting is applied to produce the broader India assessment.

The index is intended as a market indicator, not a measurement of total vessel capacity or a guaranteed carrier allocation.

LW-ICFI tells you the freight trend.

LW-IESAI tells you the space trend.

Together, they address two of the most important questions facing an exporter:

“What will I pay?”

“Can I get the space?”

The India Export Space Availability Index will be updated every week, allowing users to track where container capacity is improving, tightening or becoming difficult to secure.

For exporters planning their next shipment, the map is designed to provide a simple message at a glance:

🟢 Space available | 🟡 Space tightening | 🔴 Space restricted

The LW-IESAI is based on LogisticsWall's weekly market observations of booking-release conditions across carriers and trade lanes. It is indicative and does not represent guaranteed vessel capacity, carrier allocation or a freight quotation. Market conditions may change rapidly.