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 Lyttelton VBS is increasing by 46% from 6th July. This applies to all their Container Depots, not only the Port truck exchange.
- Interislander Ferry Maintenance Schedule – From June to September 2026, Interislander will be operating a temporary one ship timetable while Kaiarahi undergoes wet dock maintenance (Mon 22 June – Monday 13 July followed by Kaitaki entering dry dock (Saturday 18 July – Saturday 26 September).
- Port of Auckland VBS increase 1st July – Port of Auckland is applying another 28% increase to the Fergusson Container Terminal daytime VBS prices from 1st July.
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.
- The Federal Government has announced a Trade Resilience Service (TRS) to support Australian exporters facing significant shipping and cargo disruptions resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The service will operate for 12 months commencing on the 15th April. Website link here: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-wecan-help-you/programs-and-services/trade-resilience-service
- 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.
- Transport carriers are reminding clients that they are required to use the heaviest weight provided, whether it appears on the cartage advice, weight declaration or delivery order, in order to comply with road rules and maintaining the correct legal carrying weights for vehicles. Please ensure your declarations are correct otherwise container re-weigh penalties may be imposed.
- Reconstruction works have now been completed on the Palmerston Highway, a key Far North Queensland route, after Tropical Cyclone Jasper damaged the key transport route.
Asia
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand import capacity remains tight across all of Asia including China. Rates are increasing from all origins even for larger weight breakpoints.
- Australian import capacity is limited, with some services experiencing delays of 24–48 hours.
- Australian import rates are fluctuating week by week overall, with spot pricing still available for urgent or oversized shipments.
EXPORT
- For New Zealand exports; Consols are moving as booked with capacity available on most carriers, rates remain unchanged from last month.
- Australian export rates are showing slight upward pressure across key lanes into China and North Asia.
- Early bookings are strongly recommended for Australian exports, particularly for dense or oversized cargo.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Empty container availability seems to have become a major sticking point with some of the shipping lines, especially in China. We expect this to improve in the coming weeks however, where suppliers can pickup equipment early, we encourage them to do so.
- Space from North Asia is still a challenge, with allocations fully booked 3 – 4 weeks prior to the vessel sailing. Whilst we can still access space closer to ETD, this can often come at a higher cost, so we recommend speaking with suppliers to book as early as possible to ensure they are able to get on the desired sailing.
- Congestion at South-East Asian transship ports (Singapore and Malaysia) is improving however we are seeing some bookings getting caught with delays.
- There is increasing congestion in both Shanghai and Ningbo, resulting in delays of 2 – 3 days per port call (so if a service calls both Shanghai and Ningbo, they could lose up to a week). This is currently being made worse by seasonal heavy fog, which is causing productivity challenges.
EXPORT
- Inclement weather has affected some port rotations resulting in minor delays.
MIDDLE EAST:
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 – Blocked space consols are having some uplift issues. Based on this we have increased allocations on all airlines to compensate, particularly from MEL. Additional space remains hard to get as airlines are continuing to amend schedules.
- Major terminals including Qantas Freight, Dnata, Swissport, and Menzies Aviation are operating as normal.
EXPORT
- Export terminals across Australia are operating normally.
- No major delays reported for Australian exports.
- New Zealand export consols are moving as booked. There is some disruption due to aircraft changes but overall most shipments are moving well.
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 year 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.
- We have observed increases of DG shipments in this tradelane, a number of which are related to lithium batteries for electric vehicles and devices. Given the process of approval of DG with shipping lines is quite involved, we would encourage clients to submit required documents as soon as possible. A check and then recheck on all mandatory paperwork helps facilitate us in achieving fast approval. If you are unsure on requirements or have questions, please contact our team as soon as possible prior to our Haz docs cut offs on Fridays for Sydney and Melbourne consols and Wednesday for Brisbane consols.
EXPORT
- Inclement weather has affected some port rotations resulting in minor delays.
Europe
AIR
IMPORT
- Capacity remains stretched via all routes for New Zealand imports, with delays occurring in the Middle east, Asia and USA. This is expected to continue for the next couple of months.
- Capacity is limited for Australian imports, with some direct services experiencing delays of 24–48 hours.
- Australian import rates are beginning to stabilise, with spot options available for urgent or oversized freight.
- Backhaul demand into Australia remains steady.
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 remains limted via Asia and the Middle East.
- Australian export rates are beginning to stabilise after recent increases, although booking lead times of 2-3 days may still apply on some services.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Most services are open for bookings, however some lines have introduced Emergency Fuel Surcharges due to rapidly rising oil prices.
- BMSB season has now ended.
- CMA CGM and Maersk are continuing to sail via Cape of Good Hope. There is potential for congestion to build up in Asia at the transshipment 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.
- European port congestion has eased across major container terminals.
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- New Zealand import consols are now generally moving as booked. There are some delays but nothing more than 48 hours. Larger shipments are taking longer to get bookings but are getting away. There have been issues with local truckers not meeting cut off times for consols leading to delays at origin.
- Market conditions remain stable overall for Australian imports.
- Rates continue to fluctuate week to week depending on carrier and routing, however average market levels remain largely unchanged.
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 strong across most carriers for Australian exports.
- Rates remain relatively stable overall, although minor fluctuations are being seen across selected services and routings.
OCEAN
- Vancouver terminal utilization has decreased to 73%, there are no berthing delays. The average import rail dwell time has remains at 2.5 days.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – minimal berthing delays.
Norfolk – berthing delays of up to 1 day, import dwell time has increased slightly to 2.9 days.
Charleston – berthing delays of up to 3 hours, import dwell has reduced to 3.9 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth has increased to 2.1 days, import dwell time has reduced to 2.9 days, rail dwell time increased slightly to 0.9 days.
Houston – no waiting time for a berth. Import dwell time has decreased to 2.8 days.
Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe decreased to 4 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – congestion on port is 5 days.
IMPORT
- Space on vessels is open and everything functioning reasonably well.
- As we enter the US import peak season, we expect there could be challenges with trucking, however none of that has come to fruition yet.
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 late June.
- US East Coast – Space is tightening; we do encourage that bookings are placed in 3+ weeks in advance of departure.
- US Tariffs:
Section 122 tariffs imposed after the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs will automatically expire on July 24, 2026.
Three Scenarios for What Comes Next:
Scenario 1: Section 122 Expires
If Congress does not act and no replacement tariffs are ready, the 15% surcharge simply disappears. For most countries (excluding China and Section 232 products), this means a dramatic reduction in tariff rates.
If Congress does not act and no replacement tariffs are ready, the 15% surcharge simply disappears. For most countries (excluding China and Section 232 products), this means a dramatic reduction in tariff rates.
Scenario 2: Expanded Section 301 Replaces Section 122
The administration launched Section 301 investigations in March 2026 targeting 16 economies for “excess manufacturing capacity.” These investigations could result in targeted tariffs on specific countries and products; essentially a more surgical version of Section 122.
This is the most likely replacement mechanism. Expect country-specific rates rather than one flat rate.
The administration launched Section 301 investigations in March 2026 targeting 16 economies for “excess manufacturing capacity.” These investigations could result in targeted tariffs on specific countries and products; essentially a more surgical version of Section 122.
This is the most likely replacement mechanism. Expect country-specific rates rather than one flat rate.
Scenario 3: Congress Acts to Extend Tariffs
Congress could pass legislation granting broader tariff authority or explicitly extending the Section 122 surcharges. Several bills have been introduced, but none have advanced significantly.
Congress could pass legislation granting broader tariff authority or explicitly extending the Section 122 surcharges. Several bills have been introduced, but none have advanced significantly.
We will keep you informed of developments.
