FREIGHT rates have bounced back on the key China-Australia trade route with the Week 10 mean sitting at USD1,420/FEU, up from the USD1,376/FEU that prevailed in Weeks 9 and 8.
Despite the bump in the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, DCN is told main carriers are still offering rates under USD1,000/FEU on poorly-supported, post Chinese New Year sailings, which suggests lesser players may be typically under that.
According to quotes received from ever-present Chinese forwarders, however, March levels from Nansha to Brisbane / Sydney / Melbourne are USD1,525/HCFEU and 1,750 from Tianjin. In contrast, last Friday shipments from Shanghai / Shenzhen / Ningbo were listed at US1,100/FEU.
There are still blanking sailings listed across several Asian services, as well as at least three withdrawals for routine drydockings that usually take 5-6 weeks, meaning missed round voyages.
While most carrier and shipper attention this week has been focused on the impact of Middle East calamities, including bookings cancellations, end-of-service notifications and vessel diversions to contingency ports there have been several local price and surcharge announcements.
By way of a flow-on from the above MSC has announced that due to geopolitical developments, an emergency fuel surcharge (EFS) has been implemented. The EFS will apply per below effective immediately to all destinations except USA, which will be effective from 2 April 2026. The below EFS levels will apply.
Separately, ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program from 15 March 2026 at USD500 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD1000 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipments from Middle East to Australia.
On the same day ANL will apply a rate restoration at USD300 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD600 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipments from South-East Asia, Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East to New Zealand.
Simultaneously will try a rate restoration at USD300 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD600 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia.
15 March is a popular date, as that’s when COSCO SHIPPING will levy their own rate restoration, of USD 300/TEU, USD 600/FEU to all southbound shipments from Southeast Asia to all ports and points in Australia. It’s the same for all southbound shipments from Northeast Asia to all ports and points in Australia: rate restoration of USD 300/TEU, USD 600/FEU.
MSC is also on board: their rate restoration is effective 15 March for all cargo from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia to Australia and New Zealand and is also USD300/TEU.
NPDL has announced that due to increases in Australian terminal and 3rd Party Service provider charges, it has updated Ancillary Surcharges, with effect from 25 March.
Looking ahead to 1 April, Maersk will be increasing its Late Gate Service – Export tariff for the scope of Australia to World from AUD425 per container to AUD460.