Harders Insight August
August 31, 2026
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
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
Landside Logistics Fuel volatility and levy pressure July began with a continued downward trend in fuel prices as military tensions in the Middle East eased.
Market Overview Global container markets remain highly constrained as we move through Q2, with strong demand, reduced effective capacity, and ongoing congestion driving a firm,
Sea Freight: Congestion across Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao and Singapore is impacting schedules and extending transit times. Space availability is now the key driver, and shippers are operating in a market where securing bookings early is essential. Landside: Volatility in fuel prices and diesel availability – trucking companies are now updating fuel surcharges weekly.
Sea Freight volatility, longer transit times & rate increases: see what this means for your cargo. AU biosecurity and imported food charges increase, food labelling requirements. Khapra Beetle update, AU-EU Free Trade Agreement update.
Volatility and uncertainty persist across both Ocean and Air Freight markets: booking limitations remain in place, air freight rates have increased sharply. Supply chains are affected by ongoing schedule unreliability, capacity constraints, surcharges and cost volatility.
Since our last communication, the situation has further escalated. The disruption is now materially affecting Australian exporters, particularly those trading into the Middle East.
The situation across the Middle East remains highly volatile. This update is a summary of developments and repercussions for importers and exporters, particularly those trading between Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
We are closely monitoring the rapidly escalating military conflict in the Middle East. The situation is evolving hour by hour and is now causing severe disruption across global aviation and maritime supply chains, with significant implications for importers and exporters.
The year closes with Oceania Sea Freight markets under pressure from soft demand and persistent operational challenges.
Carriers are countering these conditions with blank sailings and slow steaming to stabilise rates, while port delays in Sydney, Auckland, and key hubs continue to disrupt schedules.
Capacity constraints, blank sailings, and carrier-driven adjustments continue to impact global shipping. In this update, we share what these developments mean for your shipments to Australia and New Zealand.
Global Sea Freight: disruptions, capacity realignments, and carrier rate adjustments across key trade lanes. Global Air Freight: strong demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods. Landside Logistics Updates for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane.
Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Container Deposit Schemes expanding, Supply Chain impact of US Government Shutdown, Sea Freight Update, Global Airfreight Update.
Welcome to this month’s Freight Market Update, where we bring you the latest insights on international trade routes, landside logistics, charges, supply-chain disruptions and capacity trends.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and NSW Police are conducting a Compliance Crackdown on Container Transport in NSW. Australian Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws mean multiple parties can be held accountable for non-compliance. We explain how this affects importers and logistics providers.
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
Landside Logistics Fuel volatility and levy pressure July began with a continued downward trend in fuel prices as military tensions in the Middle East eased.
Market Overview Global container markets remain highly constrained as we move through Q2, with strong demand, reduced effective capacity, and ongoing congestion driving a firm,
Sea Freight: Congestion across Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao and Singapore is impacting schedules and extending transit times. Space availability is now the key driver, and shippers are operating in a market where securing bookings early is essential. Landside: Volatility in fuel prices and diesel availability – trucking companies are now updating fuel surcharges weekly.
Sea Freight volatility, longer transit times & rate increases: see what this means for your cargo. AU biosecurity and imported food charges increase, food labelling requirements. Khapra Beetle update, AU-EU Free Trade Agreement update.
Volatility and uncertainty persist across both Ocean and Air Freight markets: booking limitations remain in place, air freight rates have increased sharply. Supply chains are affected by ongoing schedule unreliability, capacity constraints, surcharges and cost volatility.
Since our last communication, the situation has further escalated. The disruption is now materially affecting Australian exporters, particularly those trading into the Middle East.
The situation across the Middle East remains highly volatile. This update is a summary of developments and repercussions for importers and exporters, particularly those trading between Europe, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.
We are closely monitoring the rapidly escalating military conflict in the Middle East. The situation is evolving hour by hour and is now causing severe disruption across global aviation and maritime supply chains, with significant implications for importers and exporters.
The year closes with Oceania Sea Freight markets under pressure from soft demand and persistent operational challenges.
Carriers are countering these conditions with blank sailings and slow steaming to stabilise rates, while port delays in Sydney, Auckland, and key hubs continue to disrupt schedules.
Capacity constraints, blank sailings, and carrier-driven adjustments continue to impact global shipping. In this update, we share what these developments mean for your shipments to Australia and New Zealand.
Global Sea Freight: disruptions, capacity realignments, and carrier rate adjustments across key trade lanes. Global Air Freight: strong demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods. Landside Logistics Updates for Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane.
Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, Container Deposit Schemes expanding, Supply Chain impact of US Government Shutdown, Sea Freight Update, Global Airfreight Update.
Welcome to this month’s Freight Market Update, where we bring you the latest insights on international trade routes, landside logistics, charges, supply-chain disruptions and capacity trends.
The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and NSW Police are conducting a Compliance Crackdown on Container Transport in NSW. Australian Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws mean multiple parties can be held accountable for non-compliance. We explain how this affects importers and logistics providers.
Know more, plan better – in under 10 minutes. Harders Quarterly is curated by our forwarding experts, providing you with a quick and efficient overview of the global shipping market, carriers and rates.