The Bradfield Bulletin - 20th February 2026

HAPPY New Year everyone!

This week saw the Year of the Horse ushered in. With inboxes suddenly quiet, I’m sure operators around the world are finally getting through those long ignored to do lists.

Now, I wanted to let you know that I’ve also reached that stage of life where this week included forgetting the names of everyday household items. A pair of tongs now has a new name… food tweezers. (Hey, it was the best I could manage at the time!) Help me feel better... what’s the funniest literal name you’ve ever given something?

So, what’s happening in shipping? This week felt like rinse and repeat… just with some big headline changes. The big talking point has been the long rumoured Hapag-Lloyd move on ZIM. After months of speculation, it’s a relief to finally see the cards on the table. That said, with ZIM workers now striking over job security, it looks like this story may not be wrapped up just yet.

Turning to the weather, reports indicate conditions have stabilised in the Bay of Biscay, with crossings back to normal and no new terminal restrictions expected. Some operational knock on effects may still be felt as schedules recover.  

We know something has been missing lately... the usual pre Lunar New Year rush. With cargo volumes down and the majority of services still running, the balance has now clearly shifted in favour of shippers.

Freight rates dipped again this week, even as carriers tried to limit capacity with blank sailings. This isn’t just an Australian trend, globally, the Drewry World Container Index fell 1%, marking six consecutive weeks of decline.

Several carriers have announced plans to lift rates from 1 March, but with demand still soft, it remains to be seen how much those increases will actually hold.

So, what else may not have made the headlines but should be on your radar?

💠APM Terminals and Eurogate plan Bremerhaven terminal upgrade
💠Maersk and Eurogate eye €1bn Bremerhaven expansion
💠DP World changes leadership amid mounting pressure
💠Ocean Network Express introduces new clean up surcharge
💠€1bn Bremerhaven expansion planned by Maersk and Eurogate
💠CMA CGM and Midea sign logistics MoU
💠Port of Hedland iron ore exports up 60% in January
💠UPS to close 22 package facilities
💠International Maritime Organization welcomes Beijing Convention entry
💠TasPorts reports steady H1 FY25 trade
💠APM Terminals takes stake in DP World’s Jeddah terminal
💠Port of Los Angeles exports drop 8% to three-year low

💠Norfolk Southern and CMA CGM launch fast intermodal service
💠Flinders Port Holdings funds Mission to Seafarers expansion

Sadly, I've not been into Fremantle this week to take pictures, so here’s a throwback to mid last year - the MH Green. It used to call regularly on ONE’s WAU service (shared with Maersk and Hapag Lloyd). Looks like a change is coming, schedules show Bach replacing Hansa Asia in March. It's unclear, at this stage, if it’s permanent or temporary.

Have a great weekend everyone!