RATES from South-East Asia to Australia hit a new high this week while those from China spent a second week at a virtual standstill.
Xeneta reports the mean rate for shipments between South-East Asian main ports and Australia’s applicable for Week 35 hit USD 3,953/FEU, up 9% on Week 34 which had slipped 1% and compared to the Week 33 leap of 18%.
Observers suggest that space is continuing to tighten as peak season gets into gear but also because more cargo ex-China is moving to/through South-East Asian hubs as weather continues to disrupt mainland ports (Shanghai delays are now reported to have hit nine days) and carriers seek ways to keep ships moving.
The A3 consortium of ANL, COSCO Shipping and OOCL has just announced the A3N service will bypass Shanghai for 6 weeks from OOCL Shanghai 100N/101S while the A3X service will temporarily omit the Qingdao call for next 5 weeks from Colombo 084N/085S in order to mitigate further disruptions. Additionally, to avoid vessels bunching OOCL Norfolk 308N/309S will omit the scheduled Sydney and Shanghai calls.
Meanwhile, China-Australia rates have risen just 2% for each of three weeks in a row, taking the mean to USD 4,630/FEU for the Shanghai-Sydney route, according to the SCFI. Given the congestion/delays it might have been expected to be increasing further but the impact of extra capacity form new services and extra-loaders will be tempering that.
Contradictorily, there are several blank voyages still planned across the system as well as a couple of drydocking withdrawals without replacement.
Carriers are persisting with fortnightly or weekly rate notifications in what has become a predictable routine.
ANL has announced several peak season surcharges (PSS):
From North-East Asia to PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Townsville and Gladstone, effective 28 August, the PSS will be USD 300/TEU dry & reefer, 600/FEU ST & HC, RF and RH.
From South-East Asia, ICS, MEG and Australia via Asia to PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Townsville and Gladstone, also effective 28 August the PSS will be USD 350/TEU dry & reefer, 700/FEU ST & HC, RF and RH.
From the same day a PSS will apply to all shipments from Asia to New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Fiji, at a quantum of USD 250/TEU dry & reefer, 500/FEU ST & HC, RF and RH
These charges will apply to all cargo and until further notice.
ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program from 15 September at USD 600/TEU dry & USD 1,200 FEU dry for all shipments from China/South-East Asia/North-East Asia/Indian Subcontinent/Middle East to New Zealand.
ANL advises that a PSS will be implemented at the below quantum’s effective 1 October for all cargo originating in New Zealand to Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga. The PSS will be USD 275/TEU, dry & reefer and 440/FEU dry & reefer.
CMA CGM advises that due to the ongoing exceptionally low water levels in Rhine and other European rivers, inland barge operations continue to face severe disruption, resulting in reduced transport capacity, significant congestion, extended terminal dwell times and increased operational costs.
“To support the continued movement of cargo, CMA CGM is securing alternative transport solutions and managing additional costs arising from this situation in line with Clause 10 of the CMA CGM Bill of Lading Terms and Conditions,” it says.
In response to the exceptional operational costs generated by the current low water situation and resulting supply chain congestion, an inland emergency fee will be applied to all transport modes for inland shipments to or from locations routed through Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam.
Following charges will be applied:
These charges will be applied from:
The surcharge will remain in effect until further notice. CMA CGM continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide further updates as conditions evolve, the carrier says.
COSCO Shipping will chase rate restorations for shipments from both North & East Asia and South-East Asia of USD 600/TEU and 1,200/FEU, applicable 15 September.
MSC has advised that a review of the bunker recovery charge has recently taken place. With effect from 1-30 September 2026 (proforma sailing date), the following is to be applied:
Neptune Pacific will be implementing a general rate restoration for all cargo transported from Asia, China, Indian sub-continent, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East to Fiji, effective 15 September 2026, at a quantum of USD 300/TEU dry & reefer and 600/FEU dry & reefer.
Neptune Pacific also has a PSS for NZ exports to the South Pacific effective from 21 September 2026. This will be USD 275/TEU dry & reefer and 440/FEU dry & reefer. Additionally, there will be a pass-through PSS for all cargo shipped to the Cook Islands, of USD 420/FEY dry & reefer and 840/FEU dry & reefer.