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Landside Logistics Fuel surcharge pressure Elevated diesel prices continued to put pressure on Australian transport costs during October, prompting fuel surcharge reviews across the industry. Fuel-related adjustments remain an important consideration in domestic transport pricing and supply chain planning. Rail and intermodal connectivity Melbourne’s growing intermodal network is creating opportunities for more sustainable and efficient freight movements. Working with industry partners such as ITC, Harders continues to increase the use of rail-linked services and inland terminal connections to support capacity, flexibility and supply chain resilience. Container terminal congestion Congestion at Australian container terminals, including DP World Brisbane, highlighted continuing pressure on landside operations during October. Vessel bunching and elevated inbound and outbound volumes affected terminal operations, reinforcing the importance of proactive transport planning and flexibility. Greater transparency for landside charges New National Voluntary Guidelines for Landside Stevedore and Empty Container Park Charges were released in October. The voluntary framework aims

Sea Freight Update China’s ocean freight market is entering another period of uncertainty as national holidays coincide with ongoing congestion, vessel delays and carrier capacity management. The coming weeks are expected to place additional pressure on factories, trucking, warehousing, customs and ports, with disruption likely before and after the holiday period. China’s Mid-Autumn Festival runs from 25–27 September, followed closely by National Day Golden Week from 1–7 October. With only three regular working days between the holidays, cargo planning is expected to remain challenging. Recent severe weather has affected major Chinese gateways, including Shanghai and Ningbo, contributing to terminal restrictions, schedule disruption and cargo backlogs. Recovery after Golden Week may therefore take time as accumulated cargo returns to the market. Vessel space remains tight ahead of Golden Week, particularly on heavily booked early-October departures. Customers should allow additional lead time and maintain flexibility around carriers, routings and sailing dates. China

Landside Logistics Fuel Update Diesel prices continued to trend upward throughout August, leading to higher fuel surcharge adjustments across much of the transport sector. Market volatility, influenced by global supply conditions and geopolitical factors, continues to affect fuel costs. Many carriers are reviewing and adjusting surcharge mechanisms on a weekly basis to respond to changing market conditions. Businesses should continue to monitor fuel-related charges closely, particularly where fuel surcharges flow through to wharf cartage, linehaul, depot, empty container park and other transport-related costs. ACFS Update During August, ACFS Port Logistics entered voluntary administration, with administrators appointed to assess the future structure and financial position of the business. The administration process remains ongoing, with indications that additional time may be required given the size and complexity of the organisation. ACFS has publicly stated that operational activities are continuing across its network, with no significant service disruptions reported as a result of