News

Recent escalation in the Gulf continues to severely disrupt commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Fracht Group is closely monitoring developments and advising customers on ongoing disruptions, alternative routing via the Cape of Good Hope, extended transit times, and rising operational costs.

Recent escalation in the Gulf has halted nearly all commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Fracht Group is closely monitoring developments and urgently advising customers on severe disruptions, Cape rerouting, extended delays, and cost increases.

War related operational disruptions in the Middle East; US Forwarders see volumes drop; More Chinese New Year adjustments; Unreliability is the ‘new normal’; Global Air Cargo volumes rebound; Darwin Port takeover; VICT set for another quarter-century; New container depot opens international gateway for Port of Mackay; New logistics precinct greenlighted for Melbourne; New Pilbara Port 94% complete; QUBE signs off on AUD11.7bn Macquarie takeover.

Suez Canal transits are slowly recovering; Delays and congestion as European port operations feel the cold; ONE and Hapag Lloyd the latest carriers to invest in box terminals; MSC and CMA CGM service revisions go head to head on the Transatlantic; Congestion at major European ports; Container trade statistics data; Blank sailings pick up as Lunar New Year approaches; Air cargo has a record October; Emirates SkyCargo plans; Mumbai airport plans 10 month freighter suspension; Hong Kong air cargo up; QUBE opens new Sydney reefer terminal; Extra money for WA’s Westport, Kwinana; Tasports awarded contract for major rebuild.

Red Sea ceasefire; NZ Exporters get boost from India deal; East African Ports; ONE box ship gets towed to safety; QATAR Airways Cargo 777 freighter delivery delayed; BOEING delay sees large freighters remaining in short supply; Air Cargo growth slows to 4% in October; Taiwan chip exports drive record air cargo volumes; Air cargo airport volumes hit record 127 million tonnes in 2024; E-commerce air cargo volumes rebound; Strong Q1 FY 2026 for Tauranga; Electrification and the path towards cleaner Australian ports.

Fracht Group Project Provider of the Year; US Tariffs; Antwerp and Rotterdam Strikes; Newcastle Port maintains 5-star sustainability rating; Exports star in Australian first half container trade; Western Australia signals rail freight upgrade; Total container trade at the Port of Melbourne has risen slightly; Air cargo demand grows: Lufthansa cargo business robust; Australia mandates air cargo ULD restraint training.

US postal volumes plummet; European Airport cargo volumes fall; MAERSK announce flurry of blanked sailings; Gemini partners suspend transpacific TP9 service; IATA - Air Cargo volumes increased strongly; Chinese airfreight market shifting away from US; Cathay Airfreight takes a jump; First vessel docks at Broome’s new floating wharf; Menzies Aviation has opened its third cargo warehouse at Sydney Airport; Volumes drive strong Tauranga result; Wellington wins with FY2025 jump.

Fracht News - Important Change for Exports from China

Sealead tonnage sanctioned by US; Chinese carriers rejig schedules; Cargo backlog cleared in Schipol; Japan and Korea added to Stink Bug Risk countries; Airfreight rates hold steady; Air cargo demand from APAC to US picks up; China’s e-commerce volumes shift to Europe; Consent for Auckland Wharf additions; Wellington wins another customer; Melbourne Intermodal Terminal gears up with more RMGs.

Export growth across Australia’s key avocado markets; US places air cargo restrictions on Mexico; ZIM quits New Zealand for the third time; Container losses rise; Air cargo demand continued to grow; Terracotta Warriors a fragile task for Cathay; Pilots welcome SOLAS changes; Port of Newcastle gaining green traction; Fremantle Port fee hikes.

Fracht Group UK has moved; Middle East airspace closures; Return to Suez Canal on hold; General rate increases continue; Air cargo ‘piggybacks’ global uncertainty; Qatar Airways resumes flights; Optimising ocean currents; Lufthansa Cargo targets return to Top Three; Victoria greenlights Geelong LNG Terminal; Port of Brisbane unveils Vision 2060; Nancy Bird Walton Airport officially unveiled; Stage One of Swanson Dock West Remediation Project complete.

Port of Townsville plans multi-million dollar works; Geraldton ideal for green hydrogen exports; DP World to open port of Melbourne container park; Napier port reports strong performance; Road Freight Decarbonisation; Outlook for Container Shipping; BYD marks delivery of world’s largest car carrier; Good first quarters for various shipping lines; Wallenius moves to full ownership of Armacup NZ; Crew saved as MSC ship sinks; IATA reports record March; Cathay Cargo to commence weekly service to Brisbane and reports reduced demand from Hong Kong and China.

Trade between the US and China has sharply declined; Tighter EU Import requirements proving a challenge; US acknowledges Panama’s Canal rights; Temporary Tariff relief; US announced new port fee structure targeting China linked shipping; WW extends contracts; Fortune takes a turn for Hoegh Autoliners; Longevity of post CNY slump; Air cargo rates on the Rise; Recruitment and retention in the air cargo industry at crisis point; New Kiwi ferries will have rail capacity; Townsville trade dops in February; The MUA has hailed massive wins for wharfies.

Liege Airport hopes to become a main hub for flowers; E-commerce wave triggers expansion at Montevideo airport; MSC Port to buy some Hutchison ports; US attacks heighten Red Sea tensions; Record revenue for DP World; CMA CGM, APMM, Hapag-Lloyd, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Evergreen and OOCL post good profits; Air cargo demand slowed again in January; Signs of e-commerce uncertainty; Australian Federal Government commits to new maritime skills and training initiative; QUBE signs fertiliser deal through Whyalla Port.

Tropical cyclone Alfred is creating havoc in Queensland; Suez authority eyes swift return to canal; Trump tariffs to blitz Australian suppliers; Peth robotic company FBR in negotiation with Samsung Heavy Industries; Emirates Skycargo adds two more Boeing 747 freighters; Flights from Liege and Brussels cancelled due to strikes; Swissport grows in Australia and enters NZ; Port of Tauranga bounces back; Melbourne container trade sees December uptick.

Fracht Italy opens new office; Fracht Portugal has moved; US port strike called off; Houthis to cease attacks on non-Israeli shipping in Red Sea; Air cargo volumes predicted to rise in 2025; Strong Q4 and booming E-commerce create record peak season in airfreight; Protected industrial action against QUBE Ports; Landside charges rising in Australian Ports.

Port of Valencia back to work; European Hauliers being driven out of business; Flexitank safety guidelines; Idle containership fleet grows; COSCO / OOCL triple Tasman frequency; Air cargo demand continues growth; Brazil's Guarulhos airport cargo operations on brink of collapse; Airfreight rates remain firm; Spot rates rise as peak season builds; Victorian Container Terminals to increase landside charges; MUA threatens industrial action by Christmas; Aurizon approved for Flinders Logistics acquisition.

Fallout from hurricanes in the US; London Gateway expansion; Fleet expansion for Spliethoff; MSC revives Koala route; Qantas Freight joins WSI precinct; Emirates expand freighter fleet; Cargo volumes soar at Changi airport; New Pilbara Port facility to move salt; Shore Power Project to begin at White Bay; Top points for Port of Melbourne; Increased cargo volumes at the Port of Tauranga.

Fracht Australia Logistics News - October 2024

BMSB Season is upon us; China to Europe Rail freight soaring; Canadian Government steps in to end rail strike; Australia / Indonesia sign mutual recognition arrangement; MSC now dominating ocean carrier market; Explosion rocks Yang Ming container ship; Qantas introduces new freighter services to meet demand; Western Sydney Airport welcomes first international airline; Port Authority of NSW celebrates 10 years.

Fracht News - BMSB Season 2024/25

Airfreight set for a turbulent summer; Queensland to investigate moving freight from Road to Rail; Port of Brisbane begins crane decommissioning; Surge in Seafreight Spot Rates and Surcharges; Overhaul of MSC Oceania Services; Australia-Japan Grape export negotiations a success; China launches new rail service.

Singapore port congestion hits critical level; Noumea port working; Baltimore Channel open; Panama Canal transits increasing; Melbourne leads nations airfreight exports; Brighter outlook for air cargo; Airfreight maintains remarkable volumes; QUBE to acquire MIRRAT; DP World Melbourne suffering “extreme congestion”; Global container ports index

Rail strike looming in Canada; Imports and Exports showing rising trends; Seaborne live sheep exports to be banned in 2028; Western Australian Ports share in new funds; Auckland Scores a Tri; Shipper Frustration at Spot Rates rise; Shipping line profits ups-and-downs; India’s air cargo market volumes hit record high.

Dali owners declare General Average; Taiwan earthquake; China lifts wine import tariffs; Iran may post threat to supply chains via Dubai; Panama Canal Authority eyes return to normal service; Months of delays due to Baltimore Bridge collapse; Shipping disruption and E-commerce demand driving up airfreight rates; Global airfreight volumes blooming; Melbourne container trade up; Brisbane airport parcel facility; General Average and Marine Insurance.

Maersk Ship destroys Baltimore Bridge; War risk insurance premiums driven up; US East Coast Port Strike; Australia and Singapore formalise maritime partnership; Concerns over flammability of EV’s; Air cargo demand outpaces trade in January; Protests flare up at Port Botany and the Port of Melbourne

US and UK launch strikes against Houthis; Record year for container throughput in Singapore; Congestion fears ease as Europe’s ports cope with arrival of delayed vessels; Emissions soaring as cargo patterns shift due to Red Sea Crisis; Maersk Welcomed first Methanol-Enabled Container vessel; Newcastle International Terminal is taking shape; Air cargo demand surges in December amid Red Sea disruptions; MUA withdraws all industrial action at DP World Terminals; Construction complete on Botany Rail duplication.

Fracht Newsflash - Updated Standard Terms & Conditions

New Dunkerque, France office; Negotiations underway with UAE on FTA; China lifts suspensions on three meat export establishments; Maersk deploys land bridge in Panama; Industry talks net zero strategy at COP28; Emissions increase due to Suez Canal situation; Seasonal flights from Shanghai to Cairns; Disruption at DP World’s Australian Container Terminals worsens; DP World cyber attack leaves employees vulnerable; Plans for container port at Kwinana revealed.

CMRI Donation; WSC Whale Chart; Panama Canal situation deteriorates; Decline in traditional core air cargo business but increase in specialty shipments; Swissport launches air cargo operations in Australia; Increase in air cargo demand; Operations at DP World resume after cyberattack

Fracht Australia Newsflash - Industrial Action, Port Botany Protest and Terminal Congestion

Fracht Australia - Christmas and New Year's Opening Hours

Panama Canal reduces daily transit; Road Freight Rates in UK see biggest increase in a year; Cars in container innovation boosts ro/ro capacity; Hapag Lloyd welcomes Berlin Express; Ocean Network Express names most carbon efficient carrier; Airfreight peak season fails to delivery; East Coast Container Service between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; New Port Infrastructure at Bundaberg Opens; Darwin Container Port Concept takes shape.

Industrial Action at DP World

EV ocean transport guidelines published; MSC makes Hamburg its central hub; Indonesia lifts live cattle ban from Australia; Slow adoption of EB/Ls; Maersk launches first green methanol ship; Airfreight peak season bounce; Global air cargo demand drops slightly; Port of Townsville completes multi-million laydown area; Port of Melbourne completes sustainable linked loan

Fracht opens new offices in Mexico, Romania and Portugal; Biosecurity forum to tackle hitchhiker pests on containers and cargo; Niger’s airspace closed; Fire on vehicle carrier; Some air and sea cargo carriers revenues and profits tumble; Newcastle and Fremantle container trade up while Port Botany and Melbourne trade dips.

Canadian West Coast Port Workers return to picket line; Mexico becomes biggest exporter to US; Australian Federal Government developing sectoral decarbonisation plans; WCI increased by 3.3%; Global Air Cargo data showing weakening market conditions; Brisbane, Adelaide and Pilbara Ports see recent increases; Port of Newcastle unveils clean energy partnerships; Port of Esperance secures new export contracts.

Avocados to India; Rhine water level surcharge; Ocean freight rates continue to fall; Detention notice for “Shiling”; Airline capacity rises and freight rates fall; Hydrogen development at Bell Bay moves forward; VICT expansion to be operational next year; Port of Tauranga enjoys increased profits; Port of Melbourne targets net-zero by 2030.

Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement; Port of Melbourne contributes Billions to National economy; Port of Newcastle unveils designs for clean energy precinct; Increase in Fremantle container throughput; Adelaide container volumes down; Container volumes set to rise at Port Nelson; Air cargo demand continues decline in March; Number of containers lost at sea decline.

New Fracht office in Togo; Polytra Fracht Antwerp on the move; Drewry Container Index posts first increase in 15 weeks; WA Ports closed due to Cyclone Ilsa; Downturn in Australian Container volumes in February; Crystal ball outlook for ocean carriers this year; ONE rolls out vessel emissions calculators; ASL and Zim reduce Australia exposure.

Europe responds to US Green Bill; Strikes in Germany and France; Australia-UK FTA; Decline in earnings for Ocean Carriers; World Container Index decreases yet again; Bunker Adjustment Factor expected to increase; Air Cargo makes a soft start to 2023; Cathay Pacific back to business as usual soon; Port of Melbourne volumes drop in February; Landside fee hikes announced at Hutchison Ports terminals.

Fracht Australia News - March 2023

China increase in shipping demand; India, UK & EU FTA’s; New DG rules; US Trucker shortage eases; Container shipping market normalising; Schedule reliability improves; IATA predicts drop in air cargo volumes; ACCC to investigate soaring Container Terminal profits.

Christmas greetings; CMRI donation; India and UK FTA; South Korean trucker blockade; China lockdown protests; MSC adds more vessels to fleet; Ocean freight rates collapsing; Too many containers; Lithium-ion batteries; IATA reports softer air cargo demand; Newcastle cranes load first containership; NSW Ports receive sustainability award.

Fracht Group wins awards - Heavy Lift Airfreight Solution; Heavy Lift Project; Siemens Mobility Logistics Performance; Siemens Healthineers Supplier

Fracht Group supports the Sustainable Development Goals; Flights cut to Amsterdam; European Port Congestion worsens; Port Strikes in South Africa; Another Record Year for Container Shipping; Severe Space Shortages on Ro/Ro services; Ocean Freight Transit times to increase; Small increase in airfreight volumes; Cathay Pacific rebuilds; Thai Airways increase Melbourne / Bangkok flights; Record broken at Port Botany; OOCL trials Biofuel.

Golden week in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; Hapag Lloyd installs tracking devices in containers; Vessel successfully bunkered with biofuel; Severe delays in DNATA terminals; IATA statistics show drop in volumes; Melbourne port sees increase in container throughput in August; Empty container storage to increase in Port Botany.

Rhine River closure; Supply Chain Disaster continues in the USA; Container Spot Rates Dropping; Slight lift in Airfreight volumes world wide; Industrial action at Darwin Port; Marmorated Stink Bug Season begins; Ongoing Biosecurity delays in Australia; Transport / Marine Insurance.

Temporary duty reduction on Ukraine goods; Signs of stabilisation in sea freight rates; German Port strike; Airfreight problems in Sri Lanka; Australian Air Cargo Ground Handlers increase rates; 12.6% increase in containers handled at Port Botany; Supply chain problems continue in USA; Australian container road transport costs skyrocket.

Shanghai port congestion eases; North Europe ports congested; Truckers strike in Korea; Thai returns to Perth; Qantas increases operations from Perth; IATA shows airfreight volumes declined in April; Poor result for Australian Ports in Global Container Port Performance Index; Biosecurity delays with Australian Quarantine; Auckland welcomes electric tugboat.

Fracht Group acquires Dextra Transport; China to return to “normal activities”; Bottlenecks and congestion getting worse in Northern European and American Ports; Luxurious imports banned in Pakistan; Lockdown in China increases transit times; Shipping Lines profits and Airlines Fuel surcharges continue to increase; Fremantle Ports remove free storage; Restrictions imposed on vessel movements in Brisbane Port in May; BMSB season ends.

Trade agreement with India; Lockdown causes huge logistics problems with Shanghai port; Eid Al-Fitr holidays; Sao Paulo backlog; Shipping line industry profits hits record profit; IATA Statistics; Additional duty on goods from Russia and Belarus

Shanghai in partial lockdown; Sanctions against Russia impacting logistics sector; Indefinite transport strike in Spain; Indication of freight rates stabilising; Fuel surcharges increasing; World’s largest plane destroyed in Ukraine; IATA reports volume increases; Significant delays at Qantas terminals; Port of Brisbane returning to normal operations.

Russia / Ukraine invasion creates logistics problems; Queensland Flooding has interrupted operations at airfreight terminals; Airfreight Cargo Volumes have risen; MUA and Patrick reach agreement; Strikes suspended by Fair Work Commission; DNATA increase terminal fees; Heavy backlogs in airfreight terminals in Sydney and Melbourne.

2022 Welcome; Address changes for Fracht offices in Germany; Good news for Fracht Italy; Port congestion worsening; Qantas to convert passenger aircraft; IATA statistics; Port Industrial Action being investigated; Pacific Island Service being recommenced.