The Bradfield Bulletin - 27th February 2026

 THIS week passed by again like a whirlwind with major developments happening globally. 

 All eyes have been on the US, with tariff confusion swirling after Donald Trump flagged a potential 15% global import levy. The issue is that the only tariff formally signed is 10%, with the higher 15% figure coming from social media rather than an executive order. That’s left governments and exporters, including Australia, unsure what rate actually applies. For now, it’s the uncertainty, rather than the tariff itself, that’s causing the biggest disruption to trade planning.

Global spot container rates continued to ease this week, with prices slipping again across most major trade lanes. What’s unusual is the timing, the usual pre Lunar New Year rush never really showed up, and added uncertainty around US trade policy isn’t helping confidence. Asia–Europe routes are seeing the most pressure, and while volumes should lift as factories reopen, plenty of capacity means rates are likely to stay under strain for a while yet.

Closer to home, the Australian market remains soft, with plenty of southbound space and carriers making modest rate restoration attempts that feel more hopeful than firm. The majority of lines are signalling increases from March, spot rates, particularly ex China, are still sliding and sitting well below earlier year levels.

A mix of US weather disruptions, Italian strike action, and severe port congestion in Shanghai, Ningbo, and Qingdao is slowing operations this week. 

 So, what else is happening that you may not have heard about? 

 💠APM Terminals invests in Jeddah terminal expansion
💠Damietta Alliance Container Terminals officially launches operations
💠IMO counts 529 vessels flying false flags
💠UPS offers voluntary buyouts to delivery drivers
💠A.P. Moller Capital raises $243m for Morocco investments
💠Cartel linked unrest disrupts Manzanillo port and US–Mexico trade lanes
💠Pilbara’s Port of Cape Preston West reaches 94% completion
💠ONE CEO Jeremy Nixon steps down
💠Indian shipowners join the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
💠Winter storms expose fragility in US Northeast cargo corridor
💠South Korea moves to phase out foreign shipyard labour
💠PSA Antwerp takes delivery of five new STS cranes
💠APM Terminals assumes control of Panama’s Port of Balboa
💠Savino Del Bene acquires Sealogic and Misan
💠WiseTech Global to cut 30% of workforce in AI overhaul
💠Höegh Autoliners reports $105m Q4 profit 

 Yesterday morning in Perth we had a wild, lightning filled storm. I saw the Maersk Semaku was in port, so after dropping the kids at the bus I ran down to snap a photo. The lightning was scary, so I grabbed a quick shot and dashed for cover, only to realise this morning that I’d actually caught the Maersk Biscayne arriving instead!

Ah, the sky was angry that day my friends.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and for those in Western Australia, enjoy the extra day off on Monday!