"However, we are mindful that the global economy is in a vulnerable state, therefore we do worry about the indirect effects," Subbaraman and Parry said in a report.
"For example, this supply-side shock has hurt the US economy too, and so could weaken US demand for Asian goods further,"
What's more, a temporary slide in October exports because the ports lockout could depress Asian business confidence further and persuade firms to scale back investment, they added.
With storm clouds gathering, economists said wise policy-making will be at a premium from Washington to Jakarta -- the latter long viewed in the region as a weak link in the campaign to counter extremist attacks in Southeast Asia.
"One of the key determinants of confidence is the policy response," said Adam Le Mesurier of Goldman Sachs in Singapore.
"That's what people are looking for right now on a global basis, and I suspect you can make the same argument vis-a-vis Indonesia in terms of what comes out of this tragedy and the political response to the war on terrorism."
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