The Bradfield Bulletin - 20 June 2025

THIS week started with my 12 year old telling me, “You wouldn’t get it - you’re a millennial.”

Joke’s on her - I’m Gen X. We practically invented being misunderstood.

While I was busy defending my generational identity, the world kept turning – and it’s been a tense one, particularly in the Middle East.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have raised fears of a Strait of Hormuz closure, vital for global energy. While a shutdown seems unlikely, disruptions are appearing - Iranian oil loadings have stopped, and LNG ships wait offshore. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman are shifting to more land based freight routes.

Meanwhile, port congestion continues to pressure supply chains, with delays across Shanghai, Ningbo, and Qingdao – made worse by persistent fog.

In North East Asia, carriers are pushing for a July General Rate Increase (GRI) on routes to Australia, aiming to lock in stronger rates ahead of Q3 contract renewals. With a fair number of blank sailings on the horizon, this reduction in capacity may just be enough to pull volume from the market and support the GRI - but whether it holds remains to be seen.

With the Australian financial year wrapping up soon, the bigger question is: will demand return in time to support the push for higher pricing?

On another front, Singapore-based X-Press Feeders has signed partnership and leasing deals with Cosco Shipping Group and Cosco Shipping Lines – tightening their cooperation on feeder services. The move may also help Cosco sidestep U.S. port fees targeting Chinese operators.

Adding to industry pressure, several recent vessel incidents have led to criminal charges in India, including against the owner and crew of Wan Hai 503 after a deadly explosion and fire left four missing. Similar charges followed the sinking of MSC Elsa 3, raising concerns over hazardous cargo handling.

What else is happening out there?

💠 South Korea’s top shipyards secure $8.3B in new containership orders
💠 Wan Hai commits $150M for 48,000 new containers
💠 CMA CGM launches intermodal solutions in Egypt
💠 Idle containership fleet experiences slight decline
💠 Pakistan set to launch freight train route to Russia via Central Asia soon
💠 Chittagong faces congestion landside and offshore
💠 DHL Express Canada facilities shut down due to strike
💠 Cathay Pacific doubles Perth–Hong Kong flights from 27 Oct
💠 Australia places sanctions on 60 Russian tankers
💠 WiseTech shares slide as board exits hit investor confidence
💠 Qantas launches direct Sydney–Shanghai freighter service

Let me know what I have missed!

It's all about being in the right place at the right time in Freo. This is the Holsatia coming into port. The larger CMA CGM Tancredi, stretching 335m, was already berthed at Patrick Terminals. There wasn't enough time to grab the good camera!

Remember you can check out previous weekly wrap ups - the Bradfield Bulletin - at DCN - Daily Cargo News

Have a great weekend everyone!