IT’S BEEN an interesting week in the Asia-Australia trades, in the proverbial Chinese sense of ‘we live in interesting times’.
The Week 41 SCFI for Shanghai-Sydney (mean spot rates) had declined 3% over Week 40, to USD 4,419/FEU. This week, Week 42, the SCFI is – USD 4,419/FEU.
According to information from Shenzhen-based forwarders, after the National Day holiday, the overall Australian East Coast rates are showing a downward trend, but the extent of the decline varies.
The FAK rate for the A3 service has fallen from around USD 6,600+/40'HQ to approximately 5,600–5,700/40'HQ, with slight differences depending on the carrier and the port of load (POL).
This is mainly because A3 services are heavily clustered in late October, and their strong demand for cargo volume forces a notable reduction in rates for that period.
This is because their rates were already far lower than premium carriers' and some have been affected by blank sailings. The reduction is roughly USD 100–300/40'HQ. Individual economy lines such as TS Line may even consider a slight increase , but given the A3 rate reductions, their upward room is limited to around USD 150–300/40'HQ.
“Congestion at Shanghai port has also eased significantly, and upcoming sailing schedules should gradually return to normal,” the forwarder suggests. “However, please note that sailings over the holiday period still face varying degrees of delay.
“Additionally, with relatively ample sailing supply in late October, economy carriers' schedules may be further delayed due to blank sailings and port omissions. Yet if budgets can be adjusted appropriately, the A3 service offers relatively more choices.”
In contrast, Fremantle/Adelaide rates have risen instead of falling, mainly because Singapore congestion has not eased sufficiently. PIL has suspended acceptance of new bookings, and ONE (due to heavily overbooking) shows no demand for new orders and has raised rates substantially, the forwarder reports.
On the positive side, Maersk's rates via Tanjung Pelepas transhipment have seen some reduction, making it a viable option. “However, Maersk’s space supply remains unstable, so we recommend confirming options case by case.”
For New Zealand, overall rates remain firm at high levels.
Meanwhile, announcements are pending about the return of the MSC AES/CMA CGM NEMO joint service to/from Europe to Suez transits. DCN understands the carriers are treating the situation on a ship-by-ship basis but a full return is intended sooner rather than later.
On the rise/restoration/surcharge front, after a couple of quiet weeks carriers are on the move again.
ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program from 1 November 2026 at USD500 per 20’ dry/reefer & USD1000 per 40’ dry/reefer for all shipment from North East Asia to Australia. This increase will apply on top of current Spot/FAK rates subject to all applicable surcharges valid on time of shipment.
Similarly, rates will identically rise for all shipments from South East Asia, Indian Sub-Continent & Middle East to Australia, also on 1 November.
Same date but double dollars: ANL will be implementing a rate restoration program from 1 November 2026 at USD600 per 20’ dry/nor & USD1200 per 40’ dry/nor for all shipments from China/South East Asia/North East Asia/Indian Subcontinent/Middle East to New Zealand.
CMA CGM says that effective 2 November, there’ll be a ‘rate restoration initiative’ (RRI) applicable to tariff or service contract rates on all cargo moving under from US East Coast, US Gulf, Canada East Coast to Oceania. The increase will be USD 300/TEU. An identical RRI will hit shippers exporting from Oceania to US and Canada East Coast, US Gulf and Latin America, also on 2 November.
Hapag Lloyd has a peak season surcharge (PSS) of USD 400/TEU being implemented on 25 October and applicable to all container types and cargo from Oceania to the ports of Nouakchott (Mauritania), Dakar (Senegal), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Monrovia (Liberia), Banjul (Gambia), and to Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda (Angola), Pointe Noire (Congo Brazzaville), Matadi, Boma (DR Congo), Libreville, Port Gentil (Gabon), Kribi, Douala (Cameroon), Walvis Bay, (Namibia)& Bata, Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) at USD 800/TEU. Both will remain valid until further notice.
MSC have issued a number of notifications.
Please be advised that a rate restoration will be implemented on all cargo moving from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia to Australia on 1 November, at USD 500/TEU.
On 14 November a general rate increase will be implemented on all cargo moving to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America (East and West Coast), Africa (North, East, West, and South Coast), Indian Ocean Islands, East Mediterranean, and Black Sea ex Australia and New Zealand. This will be USD 200/TEU.
Effective 13 November MSC’s new origin terminal handling fees will be:
MSC destination terminal handling fees will be:
Ocean Network Express says that due to the ongoing market situation, ONE will apply a PSS “to continue maintaining service quality”. This increase will apply from 10 November for all shipments from Asia, India Sub-Continent and the Middle East to Australia and will be USD 500 /TEU reefer & dry, and USD 1,000/FEU reefer & dry.