News

Fracht Group Australia Logistics News - October 2026

1/10/2026

Around the World

• TYPHOON SAUDEL AND ONGOING CONGESTION at China’s two largest container gateways, Shanghai and Ningbo, have pushed vessel berthing delays out to 10 days. Shipping consultancy Linerlytica estimates that 3.92 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit), equivalent to around 11% of the global container fleet were tied up in congestion. Both ports have resumed operations, however vessel bunching and accumulated backlogs are expected to continue disrupting schedules and terminal operations. North Asia now accounts for more than half of global port congestion, with around 2.5 million TEU waiting at anchor for berths. Tight vessel availability and strong charter demand are also contributing to ongoing pressure across global shipping networks.
• GLOBAL SCHEDULE RELIABILITY HAS FALLEN to its lowest level in five years as congestion and industrial action continue to disrupt supply chains. Data highlighted that all 14 of Asia’s busiest container ports recorded declines in on-time performance during July, with Shanghai’s reliability falling to 21% and Ningbo’s to 34.6%. More than half of vessels arriving at major Asian ports were reported late, creating ongoing knock-on effects throughout global shipping networks. At the same time, industrial action in Germany and Rotterdam has added further uncertainty, affecting vessel operations, terminal productivity and inland cargo movements. Freight rates remain mixed, with transpacific services continuing to strengthen while Asia-Europe rates ease.
• INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT KEY EUROPEAN PORTS has raised concerns over further supply chain disruption across Northern Europe. German dock workers represented by ver.di launched a warning strike after rejecting the latest pay offer from employers, affecting ports in Hamburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony. Container terminals were expected to suspend operations during the strike period, preventing container pick-ups and deliveries. Simultaneously, transport operator Contargo warned of disruptions in the Netherlands, particularly at Rotterdam, where terminal activity was expected to be severely restricted.
• A DISPUTE OVER EMPTY CONTAINER HANDLING arrangements at India’s Mundra Port continues to escalate, with industry groups warning of increasing disruption to cargo movements. The disagreement follows a policy change by Adani Ports restricting the use of external empty container storage facilities and introducing a new dedicated empty container yard within the port precinct. Depot operators and trucking providers have responded by halting operations, resulting in significant accumulations of empty containers and road freight disruptions. Major container lines have advised customers to reassess shipment plans through Mundra while monitoring developments.
• GLOBAL CONTAINER TRADE reached a new monthly record in July, with Container Trades Statistics reporting volumes of 17.3 million TEU, surpassing the previous record set in May. Year-to-date volumes were 5.1% higher than the same period in 2025, while July volumes rose 4.5% year-on-year. Growth was particularly strong in Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. Despite softer demand indicators on some trades, transpacific freight rates have remained elevated, supported by limited capacity growth and continued carrier capacity management. Spot rates into the US East Coast remain close to historic highs, reflecting market tightness even as analysts question whether current pricing trends fully align with underlying cargo demand fundamentals.
• MALAYSIA’S PORT OF TANJUNG PELEPAS (PTP) temporarily suspended terminal operations after a cyber-security incident disrupted systems shortly before midnight on 10 September. Port operator AP Møller Maersk confirmed the incident and advised that affected systems had since been restored, with operations progressively resuming. While some vessel delays were expected, recovery efforts were reported to be progressing well. PTP advised stakeholders that cyber-security specialists had been engaged to investigate the incident and strengthen security measures, while also confirming there was no evidence of unauthorised access to customer data. 

Seafreight News 

• COSCO SHIPPING HOLDINGS reported first-half 2026 operating revenue of RMB111.92 billion, up 2.6% year on year, although profitability declined compared with the previous corresponding period. Container shipping volumes increased 7.5% to 14.28 million TEU, while terminal throughput rose 2.5% to 16.89 million TEU. The company highlighted a stronger second quarter, with quarterly profit attributable to shareholders increasing more than 28% from the first quarter. COSCO also reported improved cash generation and a lower asset-liability ratio. Management cited geopolitical risks, trade policy uncertainty, port congestion, fuel costs and environmental regulations as key challenges, while continuing to invest in fleet expansion, alternative-fuel vessels, digitalisation and integrated shipping, port and logistics services.
• ORIENT OVERSEAS INTERNATIONAL LTD (OOIL) recorded first-half 2026 revenue of USD5.17 billion, up from USD4.88 billion a year earlier, while profit attributable to shareholders declined to USD728 million from USD954 million. The company achieved record first-half liftings and liner revenues outside the pandemic period, with container volumes rising 5.2% to 4.1 million TEU. OOIL attributed increased cost pressures to higher fuel prices, inflationary impacts, EU emissions costs and continued disruption linked to instability in the Red Sea. The carrier said shifting global trade patterns and growth in emerging markets continued to support demand, while ongoing supply chain restructuring, port congestion and geopolitical uncertainty remain significant challenges for the industry. 
• CONTAINER CARRIERS ARE PUSHING for stricter controls on shipments containing lithium-ion batteries following a continued rise in vessel fire incidents linked to battery cargo. The Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS), representing 14 major container lines, has called for all lithium-ion battery shipments, including those currently moved under Special Provision 188 exemptions, to be subject to mandatory dangerous goods declarations. CINS argues that limited visibility of exempt battery cargo creates operational and safety risks throughout the supply chain. The organisation is also advocating lower container-level thresholds and greater transparency. The recommendations come amid growing concern over the frequency of containership fires, with CINS reporting such incidents are now occurring approximately every 17 days. 
• THE GEMINI COOPERATION will combine two intra-Asia shuttle services into a single enhanced service, resulting in the removal of Shanghai from the rotation. Operated by Maersk, the change will see the existing A04 service discontinued and its coverage absorbed into an expanded A14 network. The revised service is designed to improve schedule reliability and service consistency while maintaining connectivity between North China and Southeast Asia. The restructuring also reduces weekly calls at Busan and reinforces the role of Tanjung Pelepas as a key transhipment hub within the Gemini network. The changes come as congestion in Shanghai and Ningbo continues to create operational challenges, with vessel delays, high yard utilisation and weather-related disruptions impacting schedules. 
• HAPAG-LLOYD HAS BEEN GRANTED an additional 30 days to revise its proposed USD4.2 billion acquisition of Zim as it seeks approval from Israeli regulators. The carrier is developing an enhanced proposal aimed at strengthening Israel’s maritime security framework, preserving access to strategic shipping routes and increasing government oversight through revised ownership controls. Under the proposed structure, a separate Israel-focused carrier would operate dedicated services and remain available for government requirements when necessary. The revised proposal also includes commitments relating to local employment, regional operations and technology development.
• MAERSK AND HAPAG-LLOYD have announced that four additional Gemini Cooperation services between Asia and Europe will resume transits through the Suez Canal on their westbound sailings. The move expands the alliance’s gradual return to the corridor, with services linking Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean shifting away from the longer Cape of Good Hope routing. The carriers said the Suez route offers faster transit times and improved efficiency. According to Sea-Intelligence, approximately 18% of westbound Asia-Europe capacity has now returned to the Red Sea corridor, while backhaul services have normalised at a faster pace.
• AAL SHIPPING HAS REPORTED a 19% improvement in its fleet-wide Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator since 2023, reflecting reduced carbon emissions per tonne of cargo transported. The company’s latest sustainability report attributes the gains to the introduction of its third-generation Super B-Class vessels, enhanced voyage optimisation and greater use of digital technologies across fleet operations. AAL said the new vessels have delivered some of the strongest energy efficiency results in the fleet while maintaining heavy-lift capabilities required by project cargo customers. 

Airfreight News

• GLOBAL AIR CARGO DEMAND continued to grow in July 2026, although at a slower pace than earlier in the year. According to IATA, demand measured in cargo tonne kilometres increased 3.9% year on year, while capacity rose 1.7%, lifting the global cargo load factor to 46%. Airlines in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America accounted for more than 90% of overall demand growth, supported by stronger trade activity, manufacturing output and export orders. However, higher jet fuel prices, ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty remain challenges for the sector. North American carriers recorded the strongest regional performance with demand rising 4.8%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific.
• HONG KONG AIR CARGO announced the launch of a new weekly charter service between Hong Kong and Brisbane, commencing on 29 August. The Saturday round-trip service expands the carrier’s presence in Oceania and is intended to strengthen trade links between East Asia and Queensland. The addition follows the airline’s recent network expansion into Mumbai and forms part of its broader strategy to develop regional and long-haul opportunities. The carrier has also been steadily growing its European network in recent years, supported by demand from e-commerce and general cargo markets.
• THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT ANAK KRAKATAU disrupted airfreight operations across Indonesia, forcing temporary airport closures and causing widespread flight cancellations, delays and diversions. More than 2,900 flights were affected, including cargo services and passenger flights carrying belly hold freight. Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the country’s primary international gateway, was among the airports impacted before operations gradually resumed. Forwarders warned of delays as airlines worked through cargo backlogs, repositioned aircraft and restored schedules.
• LUFTHANSA CARGO HAS AGREED to acquire LUG Aircargo Handling from the Dettmer Group, subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition will provide Lufthansa Cargo with access to approximately 50,000 square metres of warehouse space and additional infrastructure across Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg airports. The transaction forms part of Lufthansa Cargo’s growth strategy and is designed to expand handling capacity within Germany while complementing ongoing investment in its Frankfurt cargo operations. LUG will continue operating independently after the acquisition. The facilities include specialised handling capabilities for high-value goods, healthcare shipments and customs inspections, strengthening Lufthansa Cargo’s infrastructure and operational capacity in its home market.
• AIR CARGO E-COMMERCE GROWTH stalled in July following the introduction of the European Union’s EUR3.00 charge on low-value imports. Data presented by consultancy Rotate showed e-commerce demand from China to Europe fell 24% during the month, while freighter capacity on the China / Hong Kong-Europe corridor declined by around 28%. Several airlines reduced freighter frequencies in response to lower demand, particularly on routes serving key e-commerce gateways. Airports including Budapest, Liège and Hong Kong experienced significant capacity reductions. Despite the slowdown in Europe, global e-commerce volumes remain substantially higher than two years ago, demonstrating the continued strength of the sector, while markets such as the United States and Brazil have recovered following earlier regulatory changes.
• EMIRATES SKYCARGO HAS EXPANDED its dedicated freighter operations in India with additional weekly services to Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The carrier now operates seven weekly freighter flights alongside 167 weekly passenger services across the country. Emirates cited strong demand from India’s growing manufacturing and export sectors, which generate significant volumes of pharmaceuticals, perishables, electronics, engineering products and automotive components. During the 2025/26 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo transported more than 153,000 tonnes of exports from India and over 28,000 tonnes to the UAE.
• THE US AIRFORWARDERS ASSOCIATION has called for urgent action following a communications system failure that disrupted approximately 7,000 flights across the north-eastern United States. The outage affected major airports including New York and Philadelphia, causing significant delays and operational challenges for cargo flows. The association urged the Federal Aviation Administration to implement recommendations from a Government Accountability Office review, which identified vulnerabilities in aviation communications infrastructure and monitoring systems. With more than 2.2 million tonnes of cargo handled annually by the affected New York airports, forwarders warned that system resilience and infrastructure upgrades are critical to avoiding future disruptions that could impact airline operations, freight networks and supply chains. 

Oceania Ports and Airports

• THE MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA’S Western Australian branch has urged members to approve a new enterprise agreement at the Port of Broome following an extended industrial dispute that resulted in an 11-day shutdown of port operations. The agreement follows more than three weeks of strike action and work bans affecting stevedoring and maintenance activities. The settlement was reached after Fair Work Commission conciliation and aligns with an in-principle agreement previously announced by Kimberley Ports Authority. Industrial action impacted cruise operations, livestock exports and general cargo movements during August.
• THE NEW FREMANTLE TRAFFIC BRIDGE will open ahead of schedule on 1 November, providing relief for freight operators after two years of disruptions associated with the Swan River Crossings project. Industry representatives expect improved truck access to Fremantle Port, more reliable container and cargo movements, and reduced congestion around the Inner Harbour. While welcoming the project’s early completion, freight groups said broader reforms remain necessary, including consideration of high-productivity freight vehicles and stronger freight network planning. The sector also highlighted ongoing concerns around future freight capacity, network resilience and the impact of major infrastructure works planned across Western Australia over the coming decade.
• THE PORT OF MELBOURNE recorded a second consecutive year of record container throughput, handling 3.52 million TEU during FY2025 / 26 and maintaining its position as Australia’s largest container port. The port reported strong trade performance despite ongoing global uncertainty, supported by resilient consumer demand and increasing imports of industrial and construction materials, including cement and gypsum. Export activity remained diversified, with growth in beef, paper products and scrap metal helping offset softer conditions in other commodities. The report also highlighted a significant shift in automotive trade, with China overtaking Japan as the largest source of imported vehicles through the port for the first time.
• SYDNEY-BASED EMPTY CONTAINER SOLUTIONS (ECS) has partnered with OneStop to implement its Modal and Vehicle Booking System from 1 October 2026. The platform is designed to improve container management through enhanced visibility, better information flow and greater coordination across ECS operations and customer networks. ECS said the system will help reduce manual administration, improve planning capabilities and streamline container movements across its facilities. OneStop noted that the partnership reflects a broader industry shift towards integrated digital platforms that connect container parks, transport operators and logistics providers through a single operating environment.
• RECORD CONTAINER THROUGHPUT AT WELLINGTON delivered a strong FY2026 result for CentrePort Wellington, underpinned by significant growth in container volumes and improved financial performance. Underlying net profit after tax increased 19% to NZD20.9 million, while container throughput surged 69% to 145,555 TEU following the introduction of new shipping services, including MSC Eagle and the COSCO / OOCL ANE service. The port also recorded growth in petroleum imports and log exports while maintaining stable volumes across other cargo sectors. CentrePort said the results reinforce Wellington’s growing importance within New Zealand’s freight and supply chain network and demonstrate increasing confidence from international shipping lines in the port’s services and capabilities. 

Customer Service 

Fracht Group Australia - keeping your supply chain moving.  For further information or tailored guidance of any of the topics covered, please contact your Fracht representative or our friendly team at fracht@frachtsyd.com.au