June 27 2025 Customer Advisory Notice

NZ Local Update

We have received notice Kiwirail have planned line closures between Hamilton and Auckland for Saturday 28 June to 12 July with KiwiRail providing road-bridging solutions during this time. Trains between Tauranga and Hamilton will not be impacted.

Port of Auckland has advised further increases are expected on Vehicle Booking (VBS) charges from 01 January 2026, final details are still to be confirmed.

New Zealand Government has approved changes to the fees and levies that New Zealand Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) charge to recover the costs of managing goods crossing New Zealand’s border. From 01 July 2025 NZ Customs fees will change and from 01 April 2026 the structure of NZ Customs and MPI’s fees and levies will change.

FreightWorks has evaluated the FAF being charged to us by our carriers as of the 1st to 31st July 2025 and FAF rate will increase to 18%. This will be re-evaluated monthly.

Asia Market Update

Shipping line rate offers have continued to stay steady through June and first half of July with shipping lines sending notice for rate restorations and general rate increases throughout this time, however the launch of new services by Maersk and MSC has led to an extended period of over supply on space in the China to New Zealand market. Shipping lines are warning that space is now beginning to fill up and they are eager to push through these planned increases while at the same time no carrier wants to lose its market share.

Lines are also anticipating a potential shortage of empty equipment at China origin ports, as the rush to ship on the Trans-Pacific trade from China to USA to beat the 90-day tariff pause set to end on 08 July has seen additional vessels being reallocated to this trade lane and large spikes in rates on this lane.

Southeast Asia rates continue to remain steady with vessel remaining full largely owing to high volumes of tranship cargo moving through Singapore and Malaysia. Space can be tight so recommend booking in advance where possible.

Europe Market Update

With the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Courier, Airfreight and Seafreight services to and from Israel have been severely disrupted. Couriers have suspended services to and from Israel for the foreseeable future. Limited Airfreight options are still available with revised routings and limited numbers of flights moving via Europe. Maersk have temporarily suspended vessel calls to the port of Haifa and are carefully monitoring operations in Ashdod. With the prospect of a cease-fire currently in place Maersk expect to be able to reopen export cargo acceptance at Haifa Port once the safety risk of doing so has been reconfirmed. The situation remains volatile and evolving daily.

Northern European Ports are facing severe delays with key gateways Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven heavily impacted by congestion and delays. Strikes, rail closures, carrier alliance shifts, and low inland water levels are all contributing to this problem. Ocean carriers are consequently rerouting vessels, omitting congested ports, and looking to add congestion surcharges. The delays are expected to last through August.

Tranship ports in Singapore and Malaysia are reporting an increase in congestion with multiple missed connections and delays of 1 – 2 weeks on North and Southbound cargo.

USA / Canada Market Update

U.S. ports are preparing for the wave of incoming containers from the spike in Trans-Pacific bookings due to the 90 day tariff pause ex China. Carriers have raised concerns that the rebound in Asia imports could bring about potential congestion challenges.

Congestion in Cartagena is leading to delays on tranship services moving via Panama Canal.

Australia Update

Shipping line rates moving both East and Westbound have continued to remain steady with multiple lines now servicing this trade lane weekly. 20’ containers supply can be short in some areas however.