In February 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle left a trail of destruction across New Zealand (NZ). Given NZ is a predominantly agriculturally driven economy; the damaged infrastructure and disrupted transportation networks are expected to have a significant impact on the nation's supply chains. Reports indicate that the cyclone...
The first seven weeks of 2023 has seen 50+ Asia-Europe westbound sailings cancelled, with the chance that carriers could decide to blank more sailings if demand continues to decrease more than expected. According to Alphaliner, Ocean Alliance members CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen have voided...
China has agreed to a meeting with Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell, raising wine exporters' hopes that current trade restrictions may be lifted, allowing for the free flow of Australian wine into the Chinese market. These trade restrictions, put into place in March 2021 amid rising...
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is currently conducting compliance sampling of containers to verify that the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirements of Marine Order 42 (Carriage, stowage and securing of cargoes and containers) 2016 ('MO42') are being met. The MO42 requires shippers to ensure that...
Whilst contract negotiations are well underway with eight of the 12 unions reaching approved contracts, four unions representing 60,000 rail workers have voted down the tentative agreement that had been negotiated in September with the participation of a White House appointed mediation panel. This move exponentially increases...
Protracted labour negotiations, industrial action and workplace shutdowns attributed to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are causing unease for exporters across Western USA ports. As negotiations continue with few signs of progress, there is increasing concern amongst exporters as they attempt to deal with...
The recent passing of the Port of Newcastle (Extinguishment of Liability) Bill 2022 in NSW Parliament, which lifts the cap on container throughput, has brought a Newcastle-based container terminal to fruition. This recent bill aims to undo a 2013 deal that capped the number of containers...
Due to a significant flooding even in October, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) closed the Condobolin section of the Parkes to Broken Hill line. In response, Pacific National continued to run its services between Sydney and Perth, via Melbourne, to ensure ongoing support for...
Operations at the majority of ports across Australia are running smoothly. There are currently either minimal or no delays at Fremantle and Melbourne. Brisbane is currently experiencing delays of 0.5 to 3 days, whilst Sydney is seeing delays averaging 1-4 days. Across the Tasman Sea, Napier...
The calmer end of year shipping season has seen empty containers pile up at Chinese ports such as Guangzhou, Yantian and Shekou, marking a complete reversal of the severe equipment shortages experienced during 2021’s pandemic-induced consumer spending boom. Indicative of the slower pace are the lower...