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. Menzies are moving to a new export facility in Auckland this weekend.
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.
- 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.
- Fuel prices are still changing regularly so we will continue with Weekly FAF until they settle back to normal.
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.
- Talks are still ongoing between Australia and the EU for the Australia EU Free Trade Agreement. Indications are that the FTA is still another 12 months off due to the working through of the legal processes, sign off by both countries, translation into 23 different languages, then finalised through parliament. Indications are that this covers 80% of trade imported from Europe into Australia and eliminates the 5% duty (provided country of origin can be established).
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.
- Capacity remains limited for Australian imports, with some services experiencing delays of 24–48 hours.
- Australian import rates continue to fluctuate week by week, with spot pricing still available for urgent or oversized shipments.
- We anticipate increased enquiry levels over the coming weeks for Australian imports as customers move to complete shipments prior to the end of the financial year.
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 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.
- Increased demand is expected for Australian exports as customers finalise planned movements before EOFY.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Peak Season is quickly upon us as volumes from Asia are surging globally, and Oceania seems no different. Short term rates are increasing by up to USD 250 per TEU per fortnight into New Zealand (up to USD 500 per TEU per fortnight into Australia), with some carriers also announcing Peak Season Surcharges (varying from USD 350 – 500 per TEU effective from the first half of July) that will impact long-term rates.
- Space at this time from China is tight, with limited departure options between now and the end of the month. There are a few options for urgent cargo should you need to get something moving, please check with your customer service representative for available services and pricing.
- Empty container shortages seem to be becoming more prevalent, especially from China. Most are being resolved prior to cut-off however we are expecting this to be ongoing in the coming weeks. Please ensure suppliers are uplifting containers as early as possible to have the best chance of securing equipment.
EXPORT
- Space is becoming increasingly tight so booking 4 weeks in advance is recommended.
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 – Blocked space consols are now back to normal in terms of uplift. 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 are operating as normal.
- No major delays currently reported for Australian imports, however increased volumes may be seen leading into EOFY.
EXPORT
- Export terminals across Australia are operating normally.
- No major delays reported for Australian exports.
- Australian export volumes may increase over the coming weeks as customers complete financial year commitments.
- New Zealand export consols are moving as booked however the Sunday freighter service to Sydney is now departing on a Monday.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Over the past two weeks, Trans-Tasman services have experienced several delays resulting from poor weather conditions and ongoing port congestion. To maintain service integrity and support schedule recovery, shipping lines have been required to adjust port rotations and, in some instances, omit selected port calls to mitigate further disruption.
- 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.
EXPORT
- Weather has impacted schedules with some ports being omitted to regain schedule integrity.
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.
- We anticipate increased enquiry levels for Australian imports over the coming weeks as customers move to complete shipments prior to the end of the financial year.
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 limited 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.
- Increased demand is expected for Australian exports as customers finalise planned movements before EOFY.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Most services are open for bookings. 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.
- 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.
- European port congestion has eased across major container terminals.
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%.
- Market conditions remain stable overall for Australian imports, however capacity is starting to tighten across some services.
- Australian import rates continue to fluctuate week to week depending on carrier and routing, however average market levels remain largely unchanged.
- We anticipate increased enquiry levels over the coming weeks for Australian imports, as customers move to complete shipments prior to the end of the financial year.
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 is becoming limited for Australian exports across most carriers, with early bookings recommended to avoid delays.
- Australian export rates remain relatively stable overall, although minor fluctuations are being seen across selected services and routings.
- Increased demand is expected for Australian exports, as customers finalise planned movements before EOFY.
OCEAN
- Vancouver terminal utilization has increased to 81, there are no berthing delays. The average import rail dwell time has increased to 3.1 days.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – no berthing delays.
Norfolk – minimal berthing delays, import dwell time has increased to 3.9 days.
Charleston – berthing delays of up to 3 hours, import dwell has increased to 5.4 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth remains at 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 increased to 4.6 days.
Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe remains at 4 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – congestion on port has reduced to 3 days.
IMPORT
- No major space challenges at this time.
- As we head toward the summer period, we might see a few suppliers etc. go down to skeleton staff but that should only be limited to a week or two.
EXPORT
- West Coast North America – Demand has increased for direct services to West Coast of the US & Canada. The Vancouver calling vessels are heavily booked to late July.
- US East Coast – Space remains tight; we do encourage that bookings are placed 3+ weeks in advance of departure.
