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Posted by Amanda Bradfield
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14 Aug, 2026
IT HAS been a pretty heavy week, with many of us watching, reading and talking about what’s unfolding in our local transport industry. I want to give a quick nod to the communications teams and journalists keeping us all informed. It’s not an easy job in times like these.
Moving on to something a little less volatile… although maybe not by much!
Space into Australia continues to be tight, with South-East and North-East Asia rates rising again. Congestion at Chinese ports, combined with a succession of typhoons across East Asia, is adding another layer of disruption. Port closures and weather delays are resulting in vessel omissions and schedule changes across a number of services.
Again, we’re hearing reports of some lines putting the pause on fresh bookings. If you want confirmed space, FAK rates may not be enough, with a number of forwarders reporting they are paying above those levels to secure space.
Singapore and Port Klang are also struggling with transhipments into Australia. Adverse weather in Fremantle has caused some schedule disruption, adding further pressure to already extended dwell times.
Drewry’s World Container Index edged up 1%, while the Intra-Asia index jumped 6% to a six-week high. Around 2.4 million TEU of containership capacity is currently waiting outside Chinese ports, which really shows the impact of ongoing disruption.
Europe is also experiencing delays, with congestion compounded by the low water levels on the Rhine. The US appears relatively stable, while India is also seeing some congestion and delays.
Shipping movements through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz remain unchanged, but the risks haven’t gone away. Hormuz transits fell 18% last week, while Bab el-Mandeb traffic dipped slightly. Following the fatal attack on the Tihamah, the IMO is urging operators to carefully assess risks before transiting the region.
That’s a lot, but what else is happening out there?
💠 CMA CGM completes Fattal Group acquisition
💠 DP World to build Antwerp logistics hub
💠 Cathay Cargo reports strong H1
💠 HMM orders four new cranes for Tacoma
💠 Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd expand Red Sea return
💠 RSGT considers Port of Cape Town bid
💠 Carriers plan Arctic services as Red Sea alternative
💠 DP World unit acquires Transworld container vessel
💠 MSC drops antitrust review for Barcelona terminal
💠 Grimaldi takes delivery of Grande Pacifico
💠 Yang Ming posts US$230m H1 profit
💠 Maersk Q2 revenue jumps 20%
💠 HMM remains profitable in H1 2026
💠 Hapag-Lloyd Q2 earnings recover
Today’s picture is of an eerily quiet DP World and Patrick Terminals in Fremantle Port, but what a great picture. There was a busy start to the week following some bad weather over the weekend, but this feels a little like the calm before the next storm, with vessel bunching potentially still to come as schedules work their way back to normal.
Have a great weekend everyone!
