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
- New Zealand Exports – Due to the conflict in Iran and the resulting increase in fuel costs, delivery rates for DAP & DDP shipments will increase for shipments booked and in transit. Should your shipment be affected we will be in contact once costs are known.
- Due to the increased cost of fuel and the impact that this is having on our CFS packing/unpacking depots across New Zealand & Australia, please be advised that a ‘FAK Pack/Unpack Fuel Surcharge’ will become effective for all LCL cargo from 13th April.
This charge will show as an additional line on all invoices that transact import or export LCL services at a level of NZD 2.00 per w/m in New Zealand and AUD 3.00 per w/m in Australia.
This charge will be reviewed on a monthly basis and will be removed as soon as the cost of fuel drops back to pre-conflict levels.
- Port of Tauranga to Metroport service had delays to import containers movements of over a week. Those delays are a hangover from the Easter Weekend Block of Line followed by Tauranga Port closure for the storm. KiwiRail advised they have been running extra services to catch up the backlog. As of Monday 20th, the movements are up to date.
- There is a Block Of Line for Anzac Weekend, no container movements via rail from Port of Tauranga – Metroport – Port of Tauranga.
- Diesel prices continue to increase putting pressure on supply chain. Weekly FAF adjustments will stay in place until fuel costs settle to a stable figure.
- Weather and mechanical issues are still causing transit delays across the Cook Strait.
- As the BMSB season comes to a close on 30 April, shipments arriving after this date will no longer be subject to BMSB requirements. Please continue to stay alert for any pests so we can keep protecting our environment and economy together. Your diligence makes a real difference.
Australia
LANDSIDE & CUSTOMS
- 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.
- Fuel surcharges for domestic and international freight continue to increase and are changing on a daily basis. Please speak with your customer services representative for the latest fuel surcharges.
- Due to the increased cost of fuel and the impact that this is having on our CFS packing/unpacking depots across New Zealand & Australia, please be advised that a ‘FAK Pack/Unpack Fuel Surcharge’ will become effective for all LCL cargo from 13th April.
This charge will show as an additional line on all invoices that transact import or export LCL services at a level of NZD 2.00 per w/m in New Zealand and AUD 3.00 per w/m in Australia.
This charge will be reviewed on a monthly basis and will be removed as soon as the cost of fuel drops back to pre-conflict levels.
- 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
- Carriers are introducing Fuel levies to ancillary charges and waterways such as final truck deliveries, rail, and between Melbourne and Tasmania due to the escalating fuel crisis.
- BMSB season is nearly over for the year. A significant point to note is that the BMSB measures for Australia are different to NZ, and apply to all cargo shipped from BMSB Target Risk countries between 1st September and 30th April inclusive. If possible, speak with your suppliers to delay shipments for a shipped on board from 1st May onwards to avoid fumigation treatment and costs or speak to your local Customer Service Rep.
Asia
AIR
IMPORT
- Extended transit times remain for New Zealand imports; in particular, for larger shipments from China.
- Capacity is starting to get stretched for New Zealand imports, from the remainder of Asia and rates are increasing.
- Capacity is improving across SYD, MEL, and BNE and is expected to stabilise over the coming weeks, with only minor delays.
- Rates have stabilised for Australian imports, with spot pricing available for urgent or oversized shipments.
EXPORT
- New Zealand export consols are moving as booked with capacity available on most carriers. Rates have increased and fuel surcharges have been added.
- 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
- Space is starting to show signs of tightening, with some services under more pressure than others. There are still plenty of options to move bookings however we expect that booking windows will begin to be reinstated for most shipping lines over the next month or so.
- Empty container availability remains mostly positive with any challenges limited to some equipment types (like 20’RE).
EXPORT
- Some Carriers are still experiencing transhipment delays in Singapore.
- As we enter peak season space has tightened, please place your bookings a minimum of 4 weeks in advance of the desired shipment date. Reefer space and equipment is in high demand.
Trans-Tasman
AIR
IMPORT
- Blocked space consols having some uplift issues, additional space remains hard to get as airlines are downgrading aircraft from wide body to narrow body.
- Fuel surcharges are now implemented for all carriers.
- Major terminals (Qantas Freight, Dnata, Swissport, Menzies) are operating as normal.
EXPORT
- Consols moving as booked, there is some disruption due to aircraft changes but overall most shipments moving well.
- Export terminals across Australia are operating normally.
- No major delays reported.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Transtasman services remain relatively stable with occasional omissions or schedule adjustments. At the time of writing this, no significant backlog or congestion to contend with. Cover bookings on transtasman services can still be made 5-6 weeks in advance signalling space remains available in the foreseeable future.
- 20’ equipment remains tight across all ports with primary industries still in export season full swing. Converting consignments from 20’ containers to 40’ or 40’HC equipment (larger orders or less frequent shipments) improves the odds of availability as per your requirements. If more frequent but smaller orders were required, please consider our weekly LCL services to New Zealand.
EXPORT
- Auckland and Tauranga have good capacity; space is tight from most other load ports.
Europe
AIR
IMPORT
- Capacity via the US is now very difficult to get and there are still delays via Asia of up to 48 hours.
- Fuel Surcharges are now mostly rolled in to the rate, airlines are only quoting on a shipment by shipment basis from most origins.
- Rates have increased slightly, with spot options for urgent or oversized freight.
- Backhaul demand into Australia remains steady.
EXPORT
- New Zealand Exports – Very limited capacity via Middle East and Asia. Asian freight rates to Europe remain extremely high with some Asian carriers now refusing to take lower deck bookings to Europe. Space via the USA now very tight as seasonal US carriers start to cease services next week, bookings taking up to 7 days to get secured.
- Capacity remains extremely limited via Asia and the Middle East for Australian exports, with some airlines accepting express shipments only.
- Rates continue to rise, with booking lead times extending up to one to two weeks for Australian exports.
OCEAN
IMPORT
- Most services are open for bookings, however some lines may introduce Emergency Fuel Surcharges due to rapidly rising oil prices.
- BMSB season has started again on September 1st 2025 and will run to April 30th 2026. Procedures are mostly the same as last season. Some sailings from Europe are now due to arrive after April 30th so no BMSB processes needed on these.
- 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.
- MSC has some Panama options available.
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
EXPORT
- All services to the Gulf States have been suspended due to the conflict in Iran. Some Carriers are operating services to Aqaba, Jeddah and King Abdullah from the Mediterranean Sea.
- European ports are experiencing persistent congestion across major container terminals due to a combination of structural, operational, and external disruptions. European port congestion is heavily exacerbated by labour dynamics—shortages, wage negotiations, and strike actions—interacting with automation, winter weather, and infrastructural limitations. Workforce issues remain both a primary driver of operational delays and a focal point for technological and managerial strategies aimed at restoring efficiency in European shipping networks. High demand for port services is outpacing existing capacity (especially in Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp).
- Suez Canal Situation – The Suez Canal attacks continue to cause container lines to avoid the route. Services continue to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.
North America
AIR
IMPORT
- Fuel surcharges look to remain unchanged until May.
- Consols are being delayed but generally for no more than 24 hours which is better than we were expecting.
- Market conditions remain stable overall.
- Capacity is sufficient across to most Australian gateways.
- Rates are holding in line with early-2026 levels, with increases expected over the next few weeks.
EXPORT
- Capacity remains full for New Zealand exports. Hawaiian Airlines have now ended their seasonal service so there is minimal capacity, bookings are taking up to 5 days to get confirmed. United Airlines have advised a fuel surcharge from the 1st of May and Air NZ increase theirs at the same time.
- Uplift availability remains strong across most carriers for Australian exports.
- Australian export rates are stable for now, with increases expected over the next few weeks.
OCEAN
- Vancouver terminal utilization has increased to 82%, there are no berthing delays. The average import rail dwell time has increased 2.9 days
- US East Coast Space is tightening; we do encourage that bookings are placed in 3+ weeks in advance of departure.
- US Terminal Operations:
New York – no berthing delays of up to 5 days.
Norfolk – berthing delays of 18 hours, import dwell time has increased to 2.3 days.
Charleston – no berthing delays, import dwell has increased 4.9 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth has reduced to 1 day, import dwell time has reduced to 4.3 days, rail dwell time has increased slightly to 1 day.
Houston – no waiting time for a berth. Import dwell time has decreased to 5 days. Barbours Cut Container Terminal has 4 new STS cranes in commissioning status. The operational date is May 2026.
Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe decreased to 4.5 days.
Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
Long Beach – congestion on port is 5.2 days.
IMPORT
- No challenges attaining space from either the West or East Coast of North America.
EXPORT
- US Tariffs – current status:
- Court Orders and Timeline
- On March 4, 2026, the CIT issued a sweeping refund directive in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States.
- The Court instructed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to refund tariffs for:
– Entries not yet liquidated (to be retroactively cleared)
– Entries within the 180-day protest window (to be reopened for refund) - Immediate compliance was suspended after CBP indicated logistical impossibility.
- CBP Response and CAPE Portal
- CBP proposed a Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal, aimed at automating refund processing.
- CAPE functionalities:
- Uploading standardized lists (CSV) of entries.
- Automatic recalculation of duties without IEEPA tariffs.
- Reviewing and setting liquidation/refund dates.
- Electronic payments to importers’ bank accounts.
- As of March 12, 2026, development was 40–80% complete, with a target rollout around Mid-April 2026
(approximately 45 days from early March).
If your business is the Importer of Record with CBP and need to apply for duty refunds, please contact your Oceanbridge representative for guidance.
- Court Orders and Timeline
- West Coast North America – demand as increased for direct service to West Coast of the US & Canada, the Vancouver calling vessels are heavily booked to mid-June. There is a blank sailing in Week 21, effectively there is a 3-week gap between Vancouver departures. Effective the Seaspan Hamburg 617N, ETD Tauranga 14/5, vessels will call at Long Beach Fenix Marine Services terminal and no longer discharge at Long Beach.
