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 to Oceania
South China is experiencing additional operational pressure, with tighter terminal gate-in arrangements and delayed vessel schedules adding further complexity to cargo planning. While additional capacity has introduced some competition in parts of the market, conditions remain highly changeable.
Australian West Coast capacity remains particularly constrained, with existing backlogs and limited capacity continuing to create challenges for Fremantle and Adelaide. Early booking remains strongly recommended.
Blank sailings also remain an important factor. Carriers continue to manage capacity through sailing cancellations, omissions and schedule adjustments, which may limit effective capacity even where nominal capacity appears available.
Rates and market pressure
Further rate pressure is expected from mid-October. Carriers have announced Rate Restorations and General Rate Increases of approximately USD 600 per TEU from 15 October. Whether the full increase is successfully implemented will depend heavily on post-Golden Week demand, available capacity and the size of any accumulated cargo backlog.
Origin costs may also increase where urgent trucking, storage or expedited arrangements are required during the holiday period.
The market remains highly susceptible to short-term rate volatility. Additional capacity can create temporary downward pressure, but this can reverse quickly if post-holiday volumes return strongly while congestion, blank sailings and vessel delays restrict effective capacity.
Previous periods this year have demonstrated how quickly space conditions can tighten on the China to Oceania trade.
Outlook
Market direction should become clearer from 8 October, when China returns from Golden Week and carriers can assess post-holiday volumes, backlogs and available capacity.
The second half of October will be the key period to watch. A rapid return of cargo, combined with blank sailings and existing disruption, could support the announced rate increases and tighten space quickly.
Customers are encouraged to:
- book early
- build additional lead time into planning
- remain flexible across carriers, routings and sailing dates
- review urgent trucking, storage or expedited requirements early
- speak with their Key Account Manager about upcoming space requirements or alternative options
Customs and Compliance
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug season 2026–27
The 2026–27 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) season commenced on 1 September 2026. The measures apply to relevant goods shipped on board a vessel between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027, inclusive.
All target high-risk goods exported from target risk countries require mandatory treatment for the duration of the season.
Break bulk cargoes and goods not shipped in a six-sided, fully enclosed shipping container must be treated offshore by an accredited BMSB treatment provider. Goods shipped in a six-sided shipping container may be fumigated offshore or on arrival in Australia, although delays should be anticipated where treatment occurs after arrival.
Importers should also note that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reviews offshore treatment providers throughout the season and may suspend providers deemed non-compliant.
It is important to review treatment providers during the season to ensure they remain accredited. Goods treated by non-accredited providers will require additional treatment in Australia or may be directed for re-export if they are not landed in a six-sided container.
Harders will issue notice of any treatment provider suspensions in subsequent newsletters.
Importer actions
Businesses importing target high-risk goods should:
- confirm whether their goods are subject to BMSB measures
- check whether the country of export is a target risk country
- ensure offshore treatment providers remain accredited at the time of treatment
- allow for possible delays if treatment is completed on arrival in Australia
- speak with their Key Account Manager if shipment timing, treatment options or documentation requirements are unclear