According to the 2023–24 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report, global and domestic disruptions have destabilised the container freight supply chain, causing congestion, delays, and soaring costs, which has resulted in some importers having to pay four to 11 times as...
Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Employers (USMX) have resumed, with a tentative agreement on a new six-year master contract announced. This new agreement is conjointly considered a win for both parties due to ability to simultaneously protect jobs and...
Recently, Mariam Kassir attended the 16th World Bulk Wine Exhibition at Amsterdam and enjoyed the insightful discussions, exploring different products and meeting a wonderful array of people across the event. She also had a fantastic experience and enjoyed having a chance to catch up with...
According to The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), world trade is on track to reach a record US$33 trillion in 2024. This represents an annual growth rate of 3.3% and highlights the resilience of global trade despite persistent challenges. However, despite this monumental...
According to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index, spot freight rates between Shanghai and Melbourne dipped to their lowest level since mid-August in the first week of December, reaching 3700FEU. Given the subdued state of the Australian retail economy this decline was anticipated sooner, however rates were...
The latest Drewry World Container Index (WCI) increased this past week by 6% to US$3533 per 40-foot container this week. The average composite index for the year to date is US$3958 per FEU, which is US$1104 higher than the 10-year average rate of US$2854. The following...
A new direct freight service between Shanghai and Fremantle ports is set to boost trade between Western Australia and China, its largest trading partner, reducing shipment time from 30 days to 14 days. This new “direct” route effectively removes the need to discharge cargo at the...
New Zealand is rolling out a modernised trade certification system to enhance the reliability and adaptability of its export processes, with particular benefits for the wine industry under the recent European Union Free Trade Agreement. The new system is being implemented in phases, starting with wine...
The International Longshoremen’s Association’s (ILA’s) contract negotiations are intensifying, in what is proving to be a potential catalyst for renewed industrial action in January 2025. Port automation has proven to be the divisive issue for the negotiating parties, with the ILA strongly opposed to increased automation,...
The FuelEU Maritime Regulation operates alongside the current European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS.) It aims to reduce the overall intensity of GHG emissions created by the shipping sector over time and is one component of the EU’s target to lower net emissions by...