New Zealand
AIR
IMPORT
- Major terminals (Air New Zealand, Swissport, Menzies) are operating normally nationwide.
EXPORT
- Major terminals (Air New Zealand, Swissport, Menzies) are operating normally nationwide.
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- Port of Auckland, Port Tauranga, and Lyttelton Port VBS all increase at the start of July.
- Pacifica’s Coastal vessel Moana Chief will be departing for dry dock at the end of July for a minimum of 3 months and there is no replacement vessel booked to cover this service. Interislander have started their dry dock maintenance program reducing their fleet to a single vessel until end of September. Both of these dry dock programs will have a significant impact on the ability to move containers domestically between the North and South Islands. If you currently move Coastal or Rail containers within New Zealand, please reach out to your Oceanbridge Account Manager to discuss options from July (and potentially beyond).
- New excise duty rates and alcohol levy rates for alcohol on 1 July 2026 – The annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcoholic beverages will take effect on 1 July 2026. The annual adjustment is based on movements in the Consumers Price Index All Groups (less credit services subgroup) over the 12-month period ended 31 March 2026. Changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Alcohol Levy rates will be advised by the Ministry of Health when they are available.
Australia
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- DAFF has published 3 new instructional fact sheets to help treatment providers meet documentation requirements for methyl bromide fumigations. The fact sheets provide step-by-step guidance on how to correctly complete the required forms, reducing the risk of processing delayed or refused biosecurity clearances caused by administration errors. The newly published resources can be found here: Methodologies and documents for biosecurity treatments – DAFF
- As Australia enters peak reefer season, exporters of hay, grain, and other perishables continue to face container shortages across multiple shipping lines. Demand remains particularly high for 20GP, 20RF, 20FQ, and 40RF units, creating ongoing pressure on supply chains for temperature-sensitive and bulk agricultural shipments.
- Following from carriers blank sailing programme, peak season is approaching earlier than usual this year. Demand is being pulled forwards into June ahead of the expected 1 July bunker fuel adjustment, supporting stronger shipment flows. Carriers continue to raise rates through higher FAK levels and PSS while managing capacity via blank sailings and selective deployment. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are also weighing on sentiment, with elevated bunker costs and fuel surcharges adding further upwards pressure across trade lanes.
- Australia has confirmed detections of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu strain, initially identified in Southern WA on the 20th of June, with 2 subsequent detections in South Australia. The virus, which has been circulating globally, remains confined to wild seabirds at this stage, with no detections in poultry and no evidence of wider spread or mass mortality. Importantly, the risk to the public remains low, and there are no food safety concerns for poultry products when properly handled and cooked.
- Industry will have an upcoming webinar focused on the recent BMSB season for 2025-2026, and to discuss the upcoming season for 2026-2027 including emerging risk countries, targeted goods, treatment options, and common compliance issues. More details to follow.
- Border Holds continue to persist, causing delays and additional charges for imports into Australia. The holds are seemingly random however and are causing significant delays. Industry is working with Border Force to advocate for more Border Force staff and wider transparency on reasons for holds.
Australian Border Force: Increase to Biosecurity Cost Recovery Charge from 1 July 2026 – Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) has received advice from Australian Border Force (ABF) via ACN 2026/23, that the biosecurity cost recovery charge applicable to Full Import Declarations (FIDs) will increase from 1 July 2026. The biosecurity cost recovery charge is collected by the ABF through the Integrated Cargo System (ICS) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and applies to imported goods with a customs value exceeding $1,000. The revised charges from 1 July 2026 are:
Asia
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand import capacity remains tight across all of Asia including China. Carriers are cancelling services at short notice from Shanghai and Guangzhou which is causing back logs and split shipments. Rates are increasing from all origins even for larger weight breakpoints.
- Australian import capacity is improving across major trade lanes, with some services experiencing minor delays.
- Rates continue to fluctuate for Australian imports depending on carrier and routing, with spot pricing available for urgent or oversized shipments.
- Following the EOFY rush, Australian import enquiry levels are expected to ease slightly, however forward bookings remain steady across key markets.
EXPORT
- For New Zealand exports; Most carriers are now starting to fill up quickly with bookings taking up to 48 hours to be confirmed.
- Australian export rates remain firm across key export markets, particularly into China and North Asia.
- Early Australian export bookings continue to be recommended for dense, oversized or project cargo.
- Capacity remains steady across most services for Australian exports.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Capacity from Asia, especially North Asia, is now under extensive pressure, with allocations on some contracts needing to be made within a specific booking window of 4 – 5 weeks prior to sailing. Short-notice bookings are possible but may need to pay market or spot rates in the current environment.
- Congestion in the likes of Shanghai and Ningbo is adding significant strain to already tight schedules, with pressure at NZ ports already causing delays. Shipping lines are doing all they can to maintain their services, including quite significant omission plans which may see them drop 1 – 2 ports in North Asia and similar when they get to Oceania.
- We are now entering typhoon season (July – September), which may see additional delays and disruption to services.
- With all of this disruption and demand, General Rate Restorations and Peak Season Surcharges have been announced by multiple lines, with other lines still considering their position.
EXPORT
- Space is starting to free up on some services, but booking 4 weeks in advance is still recommended where possible.
MIDDLE EAST:
There are limited-service options to the region. Some Carriers are offering services to Khor Fakkan and Al Fujairah in the UAE. Alternative services to Aqaba, Jeddah and King Abdullah entering the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea are available.
Trans-Tasman
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand imports – Consols are largely moving as booked. Additional space remains hard to get, and rates are increasing for anything that sits outside the consols.
- Major terminals including Qantas Freight, Dnata, Swissport and Menzies Aviation continue to operate.
- Qantas Terminal SYD: Temporary operational issues have resulted in processing delays the last few weeks. Qantas has advised that equipment has now returned to full operation, additional resources have been deployed, and extra collection windows are being introduced to improve freight flow. Still expect some delays for the next few days and should improve towards the end of the week.
EXPORT
- Consols are moving as booked for New Zealand exports, and additional capacity is now available on freighters during the week.
- Export terminals across Australia continue to operate normally.
- Qantas Terminal SYD: Processing delays due to temporary operational issues. Qantas has confirmed recovery measures are well underway, including additional staffing, restored equipment, improved freight handling processes and expanded collection windows. Still expect some delays for the next few days and should improve towards the end of the week.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- As 20’ equipment shortages continue we are seeing a shift towards LCL (less container load) as the next best alternative transport mode. Delays can occur as we wait for shipping lines to find and make boxes available. Based on current market rates, any consignments 17 CBM or less can be on parr with an FCL (Full container load) shipment. At face value the cost per CBM as LCL is higher but savings in trucking (origin and destination), devan time and labour as well the complete removal of detention risk needs to be considered. While FCL pricing is subject to change and can impact this FCL vs LCL ratio over time, the lack of 20’ equipment supply in Australia will be ongoing.
- As the EOFY draws closer, there is a traditional spike in demand on the Trans-Tasman trade. We suggest booking as far in advance as you can or even better, consider shipping a week earlier than you might normally. We can offer slow boats for ‘water warehousing’ if timing and early delivery doesn’t suit your consignees.
EXPORT
- Weather has impacted schedules with some ports being omitted to regain schedule integrity.
Europe
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand imports: Our consol is largely moving as booked however, capacity remains stretched via all routes, with delays occurring in the Middle east, Asia and USA. This is expected to continue for the next couple of months.
- Australian import capacity improving on selected direct services, with transit delays of 24–48 hours still being experienced.
- Australian import rates have largely stabilised, although fluctuations continue depending on airline capacity.
- Backhaul demand into Australia remains consistent.
EXPORT
- New Zealand Exports: Capacity remains extremely tight with flights filling at least a week in advance, bookings need to be made up to two weeks in advance to secure bookings.
- Australian export capacity is improving on selected services via Asia and the Middle East.
- Australian export rates have generally stabilised, although booking lead times of 1-2 days may still apply on some carriers.
- Space is available for Australian exports with advance planning.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Most services are open for some lines have introduced Emergency Fuel Surcharges due to rapidly rising oil prices.
- BMSB season has now ended and will start again on the 1st of September 2026.
- CMA CGM and Maersk are continuing to sail via Cape of Good. There is potential for congestion to build up in Asia at the transshipment ports.
- There have been shortages of 20ft equipment from some ports.
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
EXPORT
- Due to peak season space has tightened on all European services, please endeavour to place your bookings 4+ weeks in advance.
- The current heatwave is impacting terminal operations, mainly in Benelux and German ports.
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand import consols are now starting to get delayed by 24 to 48 hours. Trucking across the US is becoming inconsistent with some missed collections and delays in transit across all states and origins. Rates for anything outside of consol have increased significantly, in some cases up to 100%. Larger shipments are taking up to one week to move. We are expecting further delays with collections and transits due to the 4th of July weekend.
- Australian import capacity has improved slightly; early bookings are still recommended where possible.
- Australian import rates remain relatively stable overall, with minor fluctuations depending on carrier and routing.
- Demand is expected to remain steady for Australian imports, following the EOFY period.
EXPORT
- Capacity remains full for New Zealand exports, expect around a week to 10 days to get a booking across all carriers, this is both the East and West Coast.
- Uplift availability remains tight across several carriers for Australian exports, with early bookings recommended.
- Australian export rates remain relatively stable overall, with minor fluctuations across selected services and routings.
- Australian export capacity remains manageable with sufficient forward planning.
OCEAN
- Vancouver terminal utilization is moderate at 71%, there are no berthing delays. The average import rail dwell time has decreased slightly to 2.9 days.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – no berthing delays.
Norfolk – minimal berthing delays, import dwell time has reduced to 2.7 days.
Charleston – berthing delays of up to 3 hours, import dwell has increased to 5.6 days.
Savannah – average berthing time has reduced to 9 hours. Import dwell time has increased to 3.8 days, rail dwell time increased slightly to 1 day.
Houston – no waiting time for a berth. Import dwell time has increased to 4.6 days.
Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe has increased to 5.6 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – average dwell time for local import cargo is 3.1 days, on-dock rail dwell is 4.4 days.
IMPORT
- There are no major challenges with space and equipment from North America at this point.
- Whilst BMSB season won’t begin until around September (measured from departure), it is worth considering this for any orders being made now. Any machinery planning to be moved in the foreseeable future should be pushed through as early as possible to reduce the risk of treatment requirements.
EXPORT
- West Coast North America – demand has increased for direct service to West Coast of the US & Canada, the Vancouver calling vessels are heavily booked to mid-August with this vessel filling quickly. There is a blank sailing in week 32.
- US East Coast – Space remains tight; we do encourage that bookings are placed in 3+ weeks in advance of departure.
