News

APAC Freight Market Update: June 11th, 2025

12
June
2025

In this Update.

  1. Australian Ports
  2. Asia Market.
  3. USA/Canada Market.
  4. Special Update: Tariffs
  5. Europe Market.
  6. Airfreight Update.
  7. General News.
  8. Interesting Articles.

NSW Ports is making major upgrades to boost trade flow and future-proof operations. In collaboration with DP World, a $400 million expansion is in progress at Port Botany’s rail terminal. The project includes longer 600-metre rail sidings and new gantry cranes, aiming to double the terminal’s rail capacity to handle up to 1 million TEUs each year. NSW Ports is investing $148 million into the initiative. Plans are also underway to extend Brotherson Dock’s southern quay by 314 metres, which will allow three larger vessels to berth at once. These upgrades are designed to improve efficiency, ease road congestion, and meet the region’s growing freight needs. Source: The DCN

The Port of Brisbane has unveiled its Vision 2060 - a forward-thinking roadmap aimed at transforming the port into a cleaner, smarter, and more connected hub. This strategy anticipates Queensland's population reaching 8.3 million by 2060, with container trade expected to triple and cruise passenger numbers to quadruple. To meet these demands, the port plans to enhance freight road and rail connections, expand the cruise terminal, and integrate renewable energy solutions like solar, wind, and hydrogen. The vision also includes electrified port operations, AI-enabled cargo coordination, and the development of a skilled workforce. Collaboratively developed with industry and government partners, Vision 2060 aims to contribute $25 billion to Queensland's economy and support 125,000 jobs by 2060, positioning the Port of Brisbane as a leader in sustainable and efficient trade. Source: The DCN

Australia may soon see its first shipping line-owned container terminal, with MSC’s terminal arm, TiL, bidding to acquire Hutchison Ports Australia. If approved, it would mark a shift from Australia’s traditionally independent terminal model. While the move could streamline operations, it raises concerns about reduced competition and impacts on smaller shippers. The ACCC and Productivity Commission have both flagged the need for stronger regulation to protect market fairness.

Terminal Operations Update – Australia

Patrick Terminals

  • Brisbane: Operating smoothly with minor delays of up to half a day.
  • Fremantle: Minimal delays, averaging between 0–0.5 day.
  • Sydney: Experiencing moderate delays of 1–2 days.
  • Melbourne: Running with minimal delays of up to 0.5 day.

DP World Terminals

  • Brisbane: Delays between 0.5–1 day; equipment issues persist.
  • Fremantle: Slight delays up to 0.5 day.
  • Sydney: Facing delays of approximately 1–2 days.
  • Melbourne: Minimal disruptions, delays up to 0.5 day.

VICT (Melbourne):

  • Currently seeing minor delays of around 0.5 day.

Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT):

  • Operations running with a slight delay of approximately 0.5 day.

AAT Terminals

  • Brisbane: Operating efficiently with negligible delays.
  • Port Kembla: Berth congestion expected between 30 May and 4 June.
  • Melbourne – Appleton Dock: Minimal to no delays reported.
  • Melbourne – Webb Dock (formerly MIRRAT): Operating with minimal delays.

Asia Freight Market Update - Section Header

Northeast Asia Rates:

Graph showing Northeast Asia to Australia Ocean freight rate trends. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

Although June is typically the slowest period for the China–Australia trade lane, carriers have taken aggressive steps to drive rates upward. Beginning mid-June, significant capacity reductions were implemented through widespread blank sailings and vessel downsizing, removing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 TEUs from the market in the second half of the month.

This capacity squeeze has triggered a full General Rate Increase (GRI), pushing rates up from pre-GRI levels of USD 600-700 per TEU to USD 800–900 per TEU, with premium carriers (COSCO, OOCL, ANL) lifting rates even further to USD 1100–1200 per TEU.

This sharp shift reflects the underlying forces of supply and demand. Two key factors have influenced this rate hike:

Key Drivers:

  1. Cost Recovery:
    Freight rates on this lane fell below operating costs through May, even as other global lanes (excluding China–New Zealand) remained profitable. The GRI was essential to restore economic balance.
  2. Contract Positioning:
    With short-term and annual contract negotiations (for July 2025–June 2026) underway, carriers sought to elevate spot market rates to avoid being locked into below-market agreements.

Effective Dates & Port-Specific Timing

  • North & East China ports (Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo): New rates apply from 15th June 2025.
  • South China ports (Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Nansha): Carriers have postponed increases until 22nd June 2025, maintaining current lower rates during the transition period.

This staggered implementation reflects vessel rotations—some services departing North/East China in early June only reach South China in the latter half of the month. As a result, rate adjustments are aligned with actual sailing schedules rather than blanket timing.

Rate Summary – 2nd Half of June 2025

Most Competitive Services:

Select services are leading the market on pricing and offer fast Brisbane transits. Rates start from USD 850.00 per TEU ex North China (Dalian, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo) to major Australian ports (SYD/MEL/BNE), valid from 15–30 June. South China remains at USD 750.00 per TEU until 21 June.

Services with Capacity Constraints:

Some services are experiencing limited availability due to blank sailings, pushing rates slightly higher at USD 950.00 per TEU from key East China ports. South China rates hold steady at USD 750.00 per TEU until 21 June.

Limited-Sailing Mid-Tier Services:

A group of carriers positioned just below premium level is offering rates at USD 950.00 per TEU with constrained sailings in late June. Shenzhen remains at USD 750.00 per TEU until 21 June, with increases expected after.

Premium Services:

Premium services continue to maintain a firm pricing stance, with rates at USD 1,100.00 per TEU from China base ports, valid 15–30 June.

Carriers are using the June trough as a springboard to recalibrate rates ahead of Q3. With space tightening and vessel availability declining, pricing power has shifted back in their favor, particularly on routes to Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide. We anticipate further volatility as annual contracts are finalized, so proactive planning and early bookings will be essential through July.

Advertised GRIs:

  • OOCL: USD300.00 per TEU for all cargo ex North East Asia to Australia & NZ. Applicable from the 15th June. 
  • Cosco: USD300.00 per TEU for all cargo ex North East Asia to Australia & NZ. Applicable from the 15th June.
  • ANL: USD300.00 per TEU, effective 1st July 2025 for all cargo ex North East Asia to Australia and New Zealand.USD300.00 per TEU, effective 1st July 2025 for all cargo ex North East Asia to Australia and New Zealand. USD500.00 per TEU for all cargo ex China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, and Indonesia to Australia and New Zealand. Applicable from the 15th June.

Southeast Asia Rates:

Graph showing Southeast Asia to Australia Ocean freight rate trends. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

Southeast Asia hubs continue to be congested; however, rates remain stable throughout the first half of June. Rates vary between USD700.00 and 1100.00 per TEU

Carriers look to be extending rate levels through to the end of the month.

Advertised GRIs:

  • ANL: USD300.00 per TEU, effective 1st July 2025 for all cargo ex South East Asia to Australia and New Zealand.

Capacity:

Northeast Asia

In response to the rate collapse, carriers have now cancelled four sailings between June 15 and 30. MSC has also downgraded the vessel on one of its sailings from a 9,000 TEU ship to a 6,500 TEU one, shifting the larger vessel to a more profitable trade lane between China and South Asia. These changes will remove an estimated 18,000–20,000 TEUs of capacity from the China–Australia lane in the back half of June, which may help stabilize the market.

We are starting to encounter equipment shortages in China. This is particularly problematic with CMA CGM, Hapag Lloyd, and Maersk. This will only further be exacerbated by strong Transpacific demand in the short term.

Southeast Asia

Due to strategic capacity management by carriers and consistently strong demand on the Transpacific trade lane, space availability ex Southeast Asia has become increasingly constrained throughout June. Many services are already fully booked through to the end of the month, particularly on high-demand routes.

This tightening of capacity is being driven by a combination of blank sailings, vessel downsizing, and a prioritisation of more profitable lanes, especially the Transpacific, where rates have surged in recent weeks.

We strongly recommend placing bookings at least 4 weeks in advance to secure space and avoid potential disruptions. Early planning is critical during this period, particularly for time-sensitive or high-volume shipments.

Indian Subcontinent:

  • U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that he prevented a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade relations. He stated that he warned both nations the U.S. would halt trade if hostilities continued, leading to a ceasefire. While Russian officials have acknowledged Trump's involvement, India has consistently denied any third-party mediation, asserting that the ceasefire resulted from direct military communications between the two countries. Source: Times of India
  • Maersk has decided not to resume Red Sea transits this year despite President Trump’s claim that Houthi militants in Yemen have stopped attacks on commercial shipping. Prioritizing safety, Maersk will continue diverting vessels around southern Africa due to the lack of security guarantees. In contrast, CMA CGM will reroute its India–Middle East–Mediterranean service back through the Suez Canal next month, becoming the first major carrier to take the shorter route again, reflecting cautious optimism about improved security in the Red Sea region. Source: NY Times
  • Chittagong: Heavy rain and flooding have pushed vessel wait times out past 4 days, with ongoing labour shortages adding to the slowdown in container movement. On top of that, the port will be closed for a public holiday from 8pm on 6 June through to 9am on 8 June — no operations will take place during this window, so delays are likely to stretch further.

Schedule Reliability:

Graph showing Northeast Asia to Australia ocean freight transit times. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

OOCL is enhancing its Asia-Australia Northern Express (A3N) service by introducing a new direct port call at Ningbo, China, starting July 8, 2025. This addition will provide two direct sailings per week from Ningbo to Australia's East Coast, complementing the existing A3C service. The A3N service will offer the fastest transit time from Ningbo to Melbourne, enhancing connectivity for Australian importers and exporters.

The updated A3N port rotation includes:

  • Northbound: Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane – Yokohama – Osaka – Pusan – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung
  • Southbound: Yokohama – Osaka – Pusan – Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung – Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane

This enhancement is expected to improve service reliability and provide greater capacity for shipments between Asia and Australia. Souce: OOCL

Graph showing Southeast Asia to Australia ocean freight transit times. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

  • Singapore
    Singapore is feeling the pressure. Bunching is causing vessel delays, and transhipment cargo is already experiencing lag times of 1–2 weeks. At the time of reporting, 38 vessels were anchored and waiting.
  • Malaysia
    Port Klang is hovering around a 1.9-day average wait, with some vessels waiting up to 3 days. Yard utilisation is high (85%), and productivity is naturally slowing under that pressure.
  • Vietnam
    Ho Chi Minh City is dealing with yard congestion and a 2-day average vessel wait. Efficiency’s taken a hit, with 11 ships currently waiting to berth.
  • Philippines
    Manila is also facing congestion, with an average 2-day wait time and 11 vessels at anchor. Expect delays to continue while the backlog clears.

USA and Canada Freight Market Update -Section Header

Rates:

  • The General Rate Increase (GRI) and Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) scheduled for June 1 have officially kicked in. Looking ahead to June 15, some carriers are expected to hold West Coast gateway rates steady through the end of the month, while still applying the GRI to East Coast services.
  • Demand is soaring, and capacity hasn’t quite bounced back yet, especially across the Trans-Pacific Eastbound (TPEB) trade lane. This tightening is putting pressure on both spot and contracted rates, which is why we’re seeing these firm hikes across the board.
  • Freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles have jumped 57% to $5,876 per 40ft container in the past week and 117% since 8 May (4 weeks ago). Spot rates to New York have risen 39% in the past week and 96% in the past 4 weeks. Source: Drewry
  • Airfreight rates from China to the US have surged significantly, with spot pricing now exceeding USD 9.00/kg. Capacity remains highly constrained, with ongoing cargo backlogs and limited availability across several carriers.
  • While Drewry reports a more moderate increase, our U.S. sources indicate that FCL spot rates are trending closer to USD 10,000 per FEU, reflecting continued pressure on space and demand.

Capacity:

  • Capacity on the Southbound trade is open, however, we can expect congestion at transshipment ports. 
  • Ocean carriers are rapidly scaling up capacity on the Asia–North America West Coast (NAWC) route, adding 397,000 TEUs across June and July 2025. This surge, prompted by a pause in the US–China trade war and a corresponding demand boom, represents a 12.8% increase in June and a 16.5% rise in July compared to pre-pause levels. Year-over-year, this equates to an 18% capacity boost. While this expansion aims to meet heightened demand, it raises concerns about potential congestion at key ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach, which could face volumes surpassing even the pandemic-era peaks. Source: Sea Intelligence

  • Cargo volumes continue to climb into June, with a potential shipping surge expected from Southeast Asia ahead of the July 9 expiration of the U.S. reciprocal tariff pause. This anticipated rush is driving high demand on the Asia–U.S. West Coast route.
  • Carriers are actively restoring capacity, with full service expected by the end of the month. Currently, available capacity is still 11% below normal, but projections show it exceeding typical levels by early Week 25. Ships are sailing near full, with average utilization above 85%.
  • Blank sailings are steadily declining. This week’s cancellation rate dropped to 13% — a sharp improvement from May. Next week, it’s expected to fall further to 9%. To meet demand, carriers have reactivated suspended routes and added extra loader vessels; 7 of 10 suspended service loops are now operational or soon will be.
  • Exporters and freight forwarders in Houston are grappling with significant disruptions when shipping to Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. These challenges stem from severe port congestion in the region, leading to unpredictable delays, last-minute schedule changes, and limited booking availability. Ships are often delayed at anchor, causing subsequent shipments to be postponed. Additionally, container shortages in Houston are exacerbated as equipment becomes stranded at congested ports. Transit times have become unreliable, with routes that previously took under a week now extending to two weeks or more. Carriers are frequently skipping ports or rerouting vessels, complicating logistics planning. In this volatile environment, securing space has become increasingly difficult, making proactive planning and flexibility essential for businesses aiming to maintain smooth operations. Source: More Than Shipping

Schedule Reliability:

  • New York/New Jersey: Terminals are under pressure with high demand for gate appointments, particularly on cut-off days. Maersk empties are challenging to return due to terminal congestion. Expect delays and potential additional charges.
  • Los Angeles/Long Beach: Local import cargo dwell time is averaging 3.4 days, with on-dock rail dwell at 4.7 days. Import units on the street are averaging 3.5 days for 20 ft containers and 6.6 days for 40 ft containers.
  • Savannah: Vessel berth waiting time is approximately 1.8 days. Import dwell time is 5.9 days, and rail dwell time is 1 day.
  • Norfolk: Berth waiting times have increased to up to 12 hours. Gate turn times are averaging 32 minutes for single transactions and 46 minutes for double transactions at Norfolk International Terminal.
  • Seattle/Tacoma: Import rail dwell times are averaging 2.2 days at Husky Terminal and 3 days at T18. Empty returns are slow, and export receiving varies by day

US Tariffs Special feature section header

Key updates for Australian businesses (as at 11 June 2025):

  • U.S. doubles tariffs on most imported steel and aluminium products - now 50%
  • No exemptions for APAC - UK remains at 25% under existing agreements
  • New reporting rules mean steel/aluminium content must be declared separately
  • Duty refunds scrapped for affected goods - increasing landed costs
  • Trade talks in motion with India and China may shift regional supply chain

👉 Read the full update in our Dedicated Tariffs Blog.

Europe Freight Market Update - Section Header

Rates:

Graph showing Europe to Australia Ocean freight rate trends. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

  • Southbound pricing for June remains steady, holding at similar levels to May. Spot rates from key European hubs to Australian ports are currently averaging around USD 950.00 per TEU.
  • Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam and Genoa have risen in the past week by 32% and 38%, respectively. Source: Drewry

Capacity:

Space is still tight on direct sailings with CMA CGM and MSC. On the relay side, things have eased a little — most of the earlier congestion through Singapore and Port Kelang has now cleared. That said, we’re still seeing some shifts. One direct service has skipped Rotterdam across seven sailings due to persistent delays and port congestion, switching to Antwerp instead as a workaround.

Port congestion is intensifying across Europe, driven by a mix of alliance reshuffling, capacity growth, and labor disruptions. As shipping alliances adjust their services and more vessels enter the market, terminals are struggling to keep up, leading to increased delays. Labor issues, including strikes and staffing shortages, are further exacerbating the situation. This combination of factors is causing significant bottlenecks, impacting global supply chains and highlighting the need for strategic planning and investment in port infrastructure. Source: Seatrade Maritime

Northern Europe's major ports - like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg - are facing severe congestion, evolving from isolated issues into systemic failures. This gridlock is disrupting global shipping schedules, leading to longer transit times and increased costs. The situation is further complicated by geopolitical tensions and environmental challenges, raising concerns about the resilience of Europe's supply chain infrastructure. These developments underscore the need for strategic investments and policy reforms to enhance the efficiency and reliability of port operations. Source: Container News

Schedule Reliability:

Graph showing Europe to Australia Ocean freight transit times. Source: Explorate
Click here to view live dashboard.

  • Germany (Bremerhaven & Hamburg): Both ports are experiencing congestion and delays, exacerbated by recent public holidays and planned summer construction work. Rail connections are disrupted, and low water surcharges are in effect for barge transport.
  • Belgium (Antwerp): Terminals are recovering from a national strike, leading to worsening congestion and critical yard capacity issues. Expect delays and additional waiting times.

Germany:

  • The Elbtal section between Bad Schandau and Pirna will be closed during the day from 29 June to 4 July, with nighttime operations limited to regular scheduled trains. This will disrupt freight services to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and other Central European countries.
  • From 4 to 8 July, rail access to Hamburg's Waltershof station will be completely closed, affecting operations at the Altenwerder, Burchardkai, and Eurogate terminals. This closure is expected to impact between 13,500 and 20,000 TEU of imports and up to 15,000 TEU of exports, leading to potential backlogs and extended handling times.
  • If you rely on rail for container deliveries or pickups at these terminals, expect delays. Disruptions could start a day earlier and may linger after the official window, with potential import backlogs compounding the issue.
  • With capacity tight, you might want to explore rerouting via Wilhelmshaven (AL1, AL4, NE1 services) or Bremerhaven (ECX, NE4) where possible.
  • Also worth noting: Carrier’s Haulage bookings involving rail in/out of Hamburg might be declined during this time due to limited alternatives. Plan ahead if you can. Source: Hapag Lloyd

Italy:

  • Key intermodal routes are expected to face significant disruptions over the summer months due to scheduled maintenance and construction work. Source: RailFreight

Global Overview:

  • In April 2025, global schedule reliability rose to 58.7% — a 1.7% month-on-month improvement and the strongest performance since November 2023. Compared to the same time last year, reliability was up by 6.5 percentage points. Among the top 13 carriers, Maersk led the way with a reliability rate of 73.4%, followed by Hapag-Lloyd at 72.3% and MSC at 60.7%.
  • In March/April 2025, Gemini Cooperation recorded 90.7% schedule reliability across ALL arrivals, and 87.0% across TRADE arrivals, followed by MSC at 69.8% for ALL arrivals and 77.3% for TRADE arrivals, while Premier Alliance recorded 53.0% for ALL arrivals and 51.3% across TRADE Arrivals. For the outgoing alliances, “ALL arrivals” are equal to “TRADE arrivals”, and Ocean Alliance scored 51.1%, while THE Alliance scored 49.8%, and 2M scored 33.5%. Source: Sea Intelligence

Drewry’s World Container Index increased 41% to $3,527 per 40ft container this week.

In the last month, global freight rates have surged - Drewry’s World Container Index is up 70% in just four weeks. This rebound follows Trump’s temporary pause on import tariffs, which sparked a rush of US-bound cargo after volumes initially slumped. This bounce has reversed the softening we saw earlier in the year, but it’s likely temporary. Drewry expects things to shift again in the second half, with rates likely easing as the supply-demand balance weakens, depending on how tariff challenges play out and how carriers manage capacity. In other words: enjoy the highs, but buckle up for more volatility ahead. Source: Drewry

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) rose by 487 points on May 30, 2025, marking its second-largest weekly gain ever, just behind the 505-point increase during the Red Sea crisis in December 2023. Despite this, the market's future remains uncertain due to ongoing legal challenges to the U.S. tariffs and the impending end of the 90-day tariff truce. Additionally, capacity from the Far East is set to increase by over 25% in June compared to April-May lows, which may dampen rate momentum. Source: Linerlytica

Port congestion is beginning to build again, with 8% of the global fleet affected, though this is still below the 11% peak earlier in the year. The European market has not mirrored the transpacific rate increases, and forward visibility remains poor. Carriers are cautiously optimistic but are closely monitoring the situation as new capacity injections and legal uncertainties continue to influence the market dynamics. Source: Linerlytica

Air Freight Market Update - Section Header

  • In April 2025, global air cargo demand increased by 5.8% compared to the same month last year, with international demand rising by 6.5%. This growth was driven by factors such as seasonal shipments of fashion and consumer goods ahead of the summer retail cycle, and businesses expediting imports to the U.S. before anticipated tariff changes.
  • Capacity also expanded, with available cargo space growing by 6.3% year-on-year. Belly-hold capacity (cargo space in passenger aircraft) reached its highest level since 2019, increasing by 6.9%, while dedicated freighter capacity grew by 7.1%. Despite this, the cargo load factor (the percentage of available cargo space that is filled) slightly decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 43.9%, indicating that capacity growth slightly outpaced demand.
  • Regionally, Latin America and the Caribbean led growth with a 12.5% increase in international cargo demand, followed by the Asia-Pacific region with a 10% rise. North America and Europe saw more modest growth, while the Middle East and Africa returned to positive growth rates after previous declines.
  • For Australian businesses involved in international trade, these trends suggest a robust and recovering air cargo market, with increased capacity and demand across key regions. However, the slight decline in load factors indicates that while more space is available, competition among carriers remains strong, potentially impacting freight rates and service levels. Source: IATA

  • In May 2025, global air cargo volumes rebounded by 4% compared to April, recovering from a 7% drop the previous month. This uptick was largely due to a temporary easing of U.S.–China trade tensions, which had previously led to a slump in transpacific shipments. The Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, saw a 7% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes, indicating strong demand.
  • However, average air freight rates declined by 4% month-on-month and 3% year-on-year, marking the first time since April 2024 that rates fell below the previous year's levels. This suggests that while demand is recovering, pricing power remains under pressure.
  • For Australian importers and exporters, this means improved cargo availability and potentially lower shipping costs. However, the market remains volatile, so it's advisable to stay informed and flexible in logistics planning. 

Spot air freight rates from China and Hong Kong to the U.S. continued to rise in late May (Week 22), with rates sitting slightly above this year’s average - $4.49/kg from China to the U.S. and $4.76/kg from Hong Kong. Despite these increases, they’re still below last year’s levels. Volumes to the U.S. dipped slightly week-on-week and remain down 8% year-on-year.

On the China/Hong Kong to Europe trade lane, rates also edged up for the second week in a row, reaching $3.95/kg and $4.54/kg, respectively. These are still slightly below this year’s average. While weekly volumes fell 5%, overall demand is tracking 13% higher than this time last year - a sign of more consistent growth on the Europe lane compared to the U.S. Source: World ACD

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General News.

  • Don Watson Transport, a respected Australian refrigerated trucking and storage company, is closing its doors after 77 years in operation. Founded in Melbourne in 1948, the family-owned business expanded to operate 290 vehicles, covering over 22 million kilometers annually across the country. Despite recording a modest profit of $95,355 in FY2023 on nearly $100 million in revenue, the company faced dwindling cash reserves and has decided to cease operations, affecting more than 300 employees. Managing Director Lyndon Watson confirmed that all staff will be affected and assured full payment of entitlements. The company's closure follows industry-wide challenges, including the 2023 liquidation of Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics. Watson’s Coldstores in Sydney and Melbourne will remain operational and be put up for sale. The announcement has sent shockwaves through the trucking industry, highlighting the broader difficulties in the freight sector amid reduced consumer demand and higher costs. Source: The DCN
  • Tensions in Los Angeles have escalated after mass immigration raids ordered by Donald Trump led to widespread protests. The situation intensified when President Trump deployed thousands of federal troops to the city without California Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval, prompting a lawsuit from the state. Violent clashes have broken out, with reports of police overwhelmed and an Australian journalist injured by a rubber bullet while reporting live. The unrest reflects deep national divisions over immigration enforcement and federal overreach. Source: News.com.au
  • The ongoing security concerns in the Red Sea have led to a significant shift in global shipping routes, with many vessels now detouring around the Cape of Good Hope. This change has resulted in longer transit times and increased operational costs. To mitigate these challenges, shipping companies have added more vessels to the Asia–Europe routes, leading to an 8.9% increase in global container fleet capacity over the past year. Despite these efforts, the extended journey around the Cape continues to strain schedules and resources, highlighting the need for strategic planning in the face of evolving maritime risks. Source: Container News
  • A fire broke out on the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 on June 9, 2025, approximately 44 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala, India. Of the 22 crew members onboard, 18 were rescued, with one sustaining severe injuries. Four crew members - two Taiwanese, one Indonesian, and one Myanmarese - remain missing. The ship was carrying 1,015 containers, including 157 classified as dangerous goods under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code. These hazardous materials include flammable liquids, flammable solids, spontaneously combustible substances, and toxic chemicals such as nitrocellulose with alcohol, paraformaldehyde, naphthalene, organometallic substances, pesticides, ethyl chloroformate, and dimethyl sulphate. The fire has raised significant environmental concerns, as some containers have fallen overboard, and the intense heat has made firefighting efforts challenging. Source: The Loadstar
  • Sustainability: Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is teaming up with the ports of Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, and Valencia to develop green shipping corridors between China and Europe. The initiative focuses on reducing emissions through measures like shore power, clean fuel bunkering, and renewable energy use. Ningbo-Zhoushan has already achieved 74% clean energy usage and aims to further decarbonize its operations. This collaboration reflects a broader push for sustainable logistics and aligns with global efforts to decarbonize the maritime industry. Source: Seatrade Maritime

Interesting Articles:

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