IT’S BEEN a hectic week, I’ve been battling a stubborn bout of sinusitis and have been feeling a bit self conscious. Just when I thought it couldn’t be any worse, I get an email that tells me that my anti aging savings start now. Ouch, that’s rough.
It sounds like I am not the only one that has been having a tough week. The east coast as they have been battered with bad weather and subsequent delays adding pressure to both water and landside operations. In a bizarre twist, the wind and weather have been surprisingly kind over here in Western Australia.
But it’s not just the weather that’s been unpredictable, freight rates have been having their own moment. Globally, the Drewry World Container Index rose 3% this week to around USD 1,745 per FEU, the second week of small gains after months (17 weeks to be exact!) of declines. Transpacific and Asia–Europe routes are both edging higher, with carriers clearly eyeing November’s general rate increases (GRIs) to give things another push before the year ends.
Closer to home, it’s been reported that China-Australia spot rates lifted around 6% to about USD 2,300 per FEU, a surprise after several soft weeks. Carriers are announcing rate restorations from 1 November, so the eleventh month is looking a little livelier already.
On the trade front, Australia’s container volumes crept up 0.9% in the first half of 2025, with exports leading the way (+2.2%). Imports barely moved but remain well ahead of exports, I guess there are no surprise there!
What else has been happening?
💠Forwarding giants reveal Q3 results
💠APMT installs electric STS crane in Mexico expansion
💠Chittagong surcharge ban may trigger carrier rate hikes
💠Port of LA hits record emissions cut per container in 2024
💠Shanghai green corridor delivering results
💠Japan’s shipbuilders seek $2.3B to double output
💠CMA CGM, Port Koper form automotive logistics JV
💠US may cut India tariff to 15-16% under trade deal
💠Incheon eyes India, Indonesia as supply chains shift
💠Philippines probes US ban on seafarer entry
💠CTAA continues container safety campaign
💠IMO releases updated ship noise guidelines
💠Grimaldi’s Grande Shanghai wraps up first voyage
💠INS lead firefighting and SAR for MT Falcon in Gulf of Aden
💠ONE starts reefer rail link from Hyderabad to Nhava Sheva
💠IMO delay pushes newbuilds back to conventional engines
💠Finalists revealed for 2025 DCN Shipping & Maritime Awards
💠Port of Brisbane launches autonomous container transfer R&D
Today’s picture shows a full house at Fremantle Ports Inner Harbour earlier this week.
The Olympic Bay, Conti Chivalry, MSC Nimisha III, and Cosco Genoa were all alongside, lucky the quay line isn’t any longer, or a wide angle lens would have been needed! The Danzigergracht was (and still is) alongside too, but I think she deserves her own special post.
Have a great weekend everyone!
