New Zealand Overview
Air Terminals
- Air NZ and Menzies remain fully operational with no major service disruptions across export or import terminals.
- Cargo flows remain steady, though delays can occur during peak periods, Mondays (all day), and mid-late mornings and early afternoons.
Landside
- Metroport – KiwiRail has assumed control of the service between Port Tauranga and Metroport. Last weekend saw a reduction in the backlog with all the most delayed containers being moved.
- Lyttelton Port Delays: LPC is facing capacity restraints affecting vessel schedules. Shipping Lines are amending their Port rotations to either fit into amended berth windows or omit cargo delays are expected for the short-term future.
- From 1st January 2026 there will be an increase to the current Lyttelton Port TAC charge. The increased TAC charge will apply to all laden and empty containers that cross Lyttelton Port, including but not limited to DRY, REEFER, and SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.
- Port of Auckland VBS Increase 1st January 2026. Fees for on-peak bookings are set to increase by 38%. Fees for off-peak bookings will increase by 53%.
- Port of Auckland Sells Nexus Logistics to Qube Holdings. Port of Auckland selling Nexus Logistics to focus on core activities | Port of Auckland
- KiwiRail Block f Lines for end of year:
The Auckland block of line runs for four weeks through December and January. It starts at 6.00am on Saturday 27 December and runs through until 6.00pm on Sunday 18 January (including the statutory holidays Thursday 1 Jan and Friday 2 Jan.) Road bridging will be in place.
There is a concurrent full block of line between Wellington and Palmerston North from 6.00am on Saturday 27 December until 7.00pm Monday 5 Jan. No freight will move over that corridor during this period. Note – The rail corridor will be open between Hamilton and Palmerston North.
A partial block of line will be in place between Wellington and Palmerston North between 5.00am and 7.00pm each day from Tuesday 6 January until Sunday 11 January. Freight will run on this corridor each night between 7.00pm and 5.00am only. There are reduced services to accommodate the partial block.
Most customer sidings in Auckland will be inaccessible between 6.00am Saturday 27 December and 6.00pm Sunday 11 January.
Customer sidings will be accessible in Auckland from 6.00pm Sunday 11 January – excluding Coca- Cola and Owens sidings. All sidings will be open from 6.00pm Sunday 18 January.
Services to and from Auckland Port will resume from 6.00pm Sunday 18 January.
Services to and from Whangarei will resume from 12.00pm Monday 26 January.
A road-bridging operation will operate between Southdown CT site and Hamilton.
The line from Hamilton to Tauranga is still open and accessible for freight travelling to the Port.
Customs Update
BMSB Seasonal Measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries (shipped between 1st September 2025 to the 30th April 2026 inclusive).
The new levy structure will take effect on 1 April 2026. It modernises our goods cost recovery framework, and also makes the way we recover costs fairer for levy payers and for taxpayers. It allows Customs and MPI to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border. Customs Goods Management Levies announced in March 2025
With the Christmas / New Year busy season in full swing, we recommend documents are provided as early as possible, to ensure timely lodgements and processing.
Air Freight Update
North America
Imports
- Rates remain steady, with no major fluctuations observed across the key gateways (LAX, ORD, ATL, JFK).
- Order volumes and enquiries remain consistent, with a noticeable uplift in quotes converting to bookings over the past few months.
- Peak-season operational delays have now begun, particularly ex-LAX where some consolidations are experiencing up to 7-day delays. ORD, ATL and JFK are also reporting minor to moderate disruptions.
- Capacity into AKL is stable across most carriers, supported by the return of several major airlines throughout October–December, creating more consistent uplift options compared to earlier in the year.
- US Customs & TSA screening have tightened, with increased physical inspections causing occasional export processing delays—particularly for electronics, DG, automotive parts, and high-value goods.
- Most carriers are now operating at or near peak season load factors, meaning late bookings risk rolling. Early space requests remain strongly advised.
- Shipper accuracy on HAWB details, DG docs, and packing declarations is becoming more critical as screening and customs interventions increase.
Exports
- Consols ex-NZ are moving as booked with adequate uplift on most carriers.
- The recent US Government Shutdown continues to impact domestic transfers, causing intermittent delays, reduced operating hours, and slower TSA/Customs processing.
- Some US domestic hubs (LAX, ORD, JFK, ATL) are reporting minor to moderate transfer disruptions due to reduced staffing and screening backlogs.
- Direct NZ–USA services remain reliable, but transhipments within the US may have extended transit windows.
Europe
Imports
- High demand and constrained capacity into Auckland continue to drive rate fluctuations across the UK/Europe–NZ trade lane. Space remains tight, particularly ex–LHR, FRA, AMS and CDG.
- Transit delays of 1–3 days may occur as carriers adjust routings or prioritise higher-yield freight.
- China-routed consolidations are experiencing significant backlogs, resulting in extended transit times and occasional offloads.
- Some carriers are selectively reducing allocations into AKL due to seasonal peak volumes and operational pressures throughout Asia and the Middle East.
- DG approvals, oversize cargo, and loose-loaded freight are facing longer processing windows as airlines manage limited uplift and strict screening requirements.
- Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and China-based carriers are reporting intermittent operational bottlenecks that may impact planned ETDs/ETAs.
- Early bookings and flexible routing options (e.g., via MEL/SYD/CHC) remain strongly recommended to secure uplift and maintain schedule integrity.
Exports
- Consols moving as booked, with steady capacity ex-NZ via key tranship hubs (SIN, HKG, BKK, DXB).
- Rates are holding stable, with no immediate volatility reported on this trade lane.
- High-demand periods in Asia and the Middle East may affect connection priority for standard consolidations.
Asia
Imports
- Capacity constraints continue across many Asian origins, driven by an increase in air volume, due to ocean freight delays, and increased conversion of sea freight to air—most notably ex- China, Singapore, and South Korea.
- Rates remain volatile on key trade lanes as strong demand and limited uplift availability put pressure on spot pricing.
- Some airlines have introduced weight and size restrictions on dense or oversized freight as they optimise payloads during peak demand.
Exports
- Capacity remains strong into key gateways (SIN, HKG, ICN, KUL, PVG), with most consols moving as scheduled.
- Rates are stable, with only minor adjustments expected as carriers review fuel/peak surcharges.
- Some Asian hubs are experiencing congestion, particularly HKG and PVG during seasonal peaks, which may cause short transit delays.
Trans-Tasman
Imports
- Consols are generally moving as booked, with stable capacity across most carriers ex-SYD, MEL, BNE and PER.
- Transit times remain consistent, though minor delays can occur around weekend cut-offs and peak SYD–AKL departure windows.
- Rates remain steady, with only small adjustments expected as airlines review fuel and terminal handling charges heading into the holiday period.
- Seasonal demand is increasing, particularly for retail, e-commerce, perishables and express cargo. Early bookings for bulk shipments or oversize freight are recommended.
- DG screening and x-ray queues in SYD and MEL have been intermittently longer as handlers manage higher volumes.
- Carriers are reporting higher load factors into AKL and CHC, meaning last-minute space may be limited during peak weeks.
- Weather disruptions across the Tasman (common from late Nov–Jan) may impact same-day and overnight connections.
Exports
- Consols are moving as booked, with solid capacity ex-AKL/CHC across all major carriers.
- Transit times remain stable, though minor delays can occur around weekend cut-offs and SYD/MEL peak periods.
- Rates remain steady, with no major fluctuations expected in the short term.
- Best practice: Early bookings and accurate dimensions and commodity details help avoid late pushbacks.
Ocean Freight Update
Asia
Import
- With the upcoming departures due to arrive in NZ during the Christmas/New Year period, space is relatively free however, we expect things to pick up again in the second half of December.
- Non-Operating Reefer (NOR) container availability seems to be a challenge for many shipping lines.
- Lunar New Year celebrations are later in 2026 (from 17 February) however we are likely to see volumes maintain and current levels until that point.
Export
- Some Carriers are still experiencing transhipment delays in Singapore.
- Space has eased but vessels are often still fully booked weeks in advance, we encourage you to make bookings in advance where possible.
Trans-Tasman
Import
- 20’ containers are still in short supply across Australia.
Export
- All NZ export services have immediate availability.
Europe
Red Sea is still at risk of attacks by Houthi rebels. Maersk and CMA have not announced any return to the Suez Canal. Services continue to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.
Import
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
- Maersk Vessels via Panama now transit the USA and require AMS filing.
Maersk vessels via Asia are experiencing 1-2 week delay in t/shipment port.
Vessels are off window arriving into Europe from the Cape of Good Hope. On time arrivals are as low as 21%. This is causing the weekly schedules to be disrupted. - 20’ reefers are in low supply across Europe.
Export
- Due to increased imports from China to the Middle East many carriers are experiencing heavy demand and space has tightened.
- Vessels are strongly booked; we encourage making bookings 3 weeks in advance.
- European ports congestion has eased slightly.
North America
US Terminal Operations:
- New York – Berthing is delayed by 6 hours. Import rail dwell time is down to 1.1 days.
- Norfolk – no berthing delays
- Charleston – no berthing delays
- Savannah – Average wait time for a berth is 0.7 days.
- Houston – Waiting time of 3 hours for a berth.
- Oakland – no berthing delays. Average import delivery timeframe is running at 4 days.
- Seattle – no berthing delays. Terminal 18 is now open 5 days per week having previously
closed on Fridays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days. - Long Beach – Congestion on port has not improved with delays of 4-8 days.
Export
- As announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), new measures under Section 301 have been put on hold for 12 months.
- The US Federal Government shutdown has been resolved and all departments are back to work.
- West Coast North America the direct service to West Coast of the US & Canadian is seeing a drop off in demand, the Vancouver calling vessels remain at capacity.
- Reefer equipment is starting to free up, space remains tight on the Vancouver calling vessels on the West Coast.
**For more specific information / requirements please ask your Harders NZ Key Account Manager.
We will continue to evaluate all market options and work with you to provide individual solutions for your business.