FOR reasons that don’t seem readily apparent, even to carriers, freight rates between China and Australia for the current week — Week 17 — have leapt 19%.
This follows gains of 7%, 14%, and 12% in the previous week, taking the SCFI Shanghai-Sydney mean from USD 1,242/FEU in Week 13 to USD 2,028/FEU this week.
While some are reporting full ships other insist there’s still plenty of space, albeit things may well be tightening in view of the voyage blankings detailed in DCN’s recent updates, plus the announced departure of SeaLead from the trade, even if that’s not due to finalise until Cycle 32.
There is also the likelihood that MSC’s Kangaroo service will reduced to fortnightly but this is yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, rates from main ports in South East Asia to their Australian equivalents remain stubbornly static, according to Xeneta figures.
Despite regular carrier notifications of rate restorations and GRIs — including those below — there’s been little fluctuation +/- 3% throughout 2026. This week Xeneta lists the mean as USD 1,625/FEU, down $10 since last week.
Nevertheless, there is some carrier expectation the latest rises across both trades will stick.
There seems to be a Mayday consensus.
ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program from 1 May 2026 at USD 200 per 20’ dry & USD 400 per 40’ dry for all shipment from Asia/Indian Subcontinent/Middle East to New Zealand.
Shippers can add ANL’s rate restoration effective 1 May at USD 200 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD 400 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipments from South East Asia, Middle East Gulf and Indian Subcontinent to Australia.
On the same day there’ll be an ANL rate restoration at USD 300 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD 600 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia. This increase too will apply on top of current Spot/FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment.
On that magical May date COSCO Shipping will apply a rate restoration to all southbound shipments from Southeast Asia to all ports and points in Australia as follows: USD 300/TEU, USD 600/FEU. And same date, same quantum: a rate restoration applicable to all southbound shipments from Northeast Asia to all ports and points in Australia.
Not to be left out, on 1 May MSC will implement a rate restoration on all cargo moving from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia to Australia and New Zealand, at USD $300 per TEU.
On 7 May CMA CGM will introduce a peak season surcharge (PSS) from the NEMO (NEWMO) & PAD (RTWPAN) services and Relay services via Asia, covering cargo from from North Europe, Poland, Scandinavia, Baltic, East & West Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black Sea & North Africa to Australia. The amounts will be USD 350 per TEU on Direct services (NEWMO & RTWPAN) and USD 200 per TEU on Relay services via Asia. The PSS is indefinite at this stage.
And in order to continue providing reliable and sustainable inland transport services while ensuring transparency regarding fuel-related cost developments, it says, CMA CGM Group has introduced an Inland Emergency Fuel Surcharge (IEFS) applicable to mode of transport impacted in each country.