New Zealand Overview
Air Terminals
- Terminals are currently operating as normal.
- Air NZ and Menzies have confirmed their annual rate increases,
effective from April 1 (Menzies) and March 1 (Air NZ).
Landside
Coda Group has sold its Auckland 3PL Transport, Auckland Freight Station (FAK), and Rolleston distribution centre to ACFS Port Logistics NZ Limited. The transition is expected to be completed by May 1, 2025.
Link / Media Release.
Ports of Auckland Terminal Closure 11-13 April –
please note securing VBS slots before and after these dates will be very difficult.
Air Freight Update
North America
- For both Imports and Exports, consols are moving as booked, with capacity available on most carriers.
- We anticipate that some U.S. carriers will begin reducing services between late March and early April 2025.
- American Airlines will suspend AKL to DFW flights starting 29th March.
- Air Canada will suspend AKL to YVR flights starting 28th March.
- Hawaiian Airlines will suspend AKL to HNL flights from the end of April.
Europe
The ongoing war in Ukraine has reconfigured trade routes, particularly affecting air cargo volumes at key European hubs like Frankfurt and Amsterdam. However, this has also opened opportunities for alternative routes and partnerships. Labour strikes at major ports such as Rotterdam and Antwerp are causing occasional disruptions, but proactive planning and flexible logistics solutions can mitigate these impacts.
Additionally, the surge in demand for critical minerals for green energy projects is driving
new trade dynamics. Despite these challenges, the industry is adapting with innovative
strategies to ensure smooth operations and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Asia / Imports
Consols are moving as booked, with capacity available on most carriers.
Asia / Exports
Capacity is expected to remain stable to moderately increase, aligning with demand and rates should follow suit. The market is watching the U.S. administration’s recent actions on import tariffs and the de minimis rule, as it has injected uncertainties in the U.S. supply chain.
Trans-Tasman / Imports
Consols are moving as booked, with capacity available on most carriers.
Some flights from Brisbane were cancelled at this time due to Cyclone Alfred and being rebooked. We anticipate congestion for the next week.
Trans-Tasman / Exports
Consols are moving as booked, with capacity available on most carriers.
Ocean Freight Update
Asia
The market seems to still be in the shadow of the Lunar New Year holidays, with spot/short-term rates very low from China and North Asia compared to the highs of late 2024. Space is relatively easy to attain at this time as we see a combination of lower demand as well as the highest levels of capacity in some time.
Whilst we don’t currently see any changes in the short term, we do expect to see a Peak Season in the 2nd half of 2025.
In contrast, South-East Asia remains reasonably tight at this time, likely due to limited capacity, as we have yet to see a return of the services that exited in 2024.
Shipping lines are actively chasing reefer equipment in New Zealand, and many are aggressively pricing NORs.
Port congestion in Colombo is significant causing delays of 2+ weeks. Other trans-shipment ports are operating with minimal delays.
Some Carriers are experiencing trans-shipment delays in Singapore of 3+ weeks.
Space remains tight on most services to and via Asian ports. We recommend booking at least 6 weeks in advance to secure space.
Some carriers are fully booked on their export trades into April.
Trans-Tasman
Brisbane Port will slowly open up for receivals of containers and vessels early this week.
Power will be a big issue this week.
Port, Shipping & Transport Disruptions
Maritime Safety Queensland has announced that shipping operations are set to recommence on Monday,
10 March. However, initial access will be restricted to specific vessels that comply with port limitations until hydrographic surveys give the primary shipping channels the all-clear.
Power & Telecommunications
Energex, Ergon, and NBN all experienced widespread power outages. Energex confirmed it’s their worst outage of all time, surpassing any other natural disaster.
Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone still using generators for critical infrastructure but networks accessible in most areas.
Most New Zealand export services are experiencing increased demand, extending booking lead times.
Vessels are heavily booked, especially from Auckland.
Europe
Strike action has been confirmed in Le Havre and a “Labour Slowdown” in Rotterdam. The reduced moves and berth windows may lead to vessels omitting or containers being left behind.
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.
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.
Maersk’s main service from UK has moved from Felixstowe port to London Gateway. This should see an improvement to service regularity as Felixstowe has been very congested for the last 6 months.
20’ reefers are in low supply across Europe.
Vessels are heavily booked for NZ export services. Bookings need to be made 5-6 weeks in advance.
North America
Vancouver vessel berthing delays have reduced to 3-5 days. Import rail dwell average has increased from 5.5 to 7.1 days and delays are expected to remain as the terminal continues to recover from the recent industrial action. Rail car supply has improved. Severe winter conditions are impacting rail/truck services.
Panama Canal services for ANP/OC1 service –Continuing low lake levels in the Panama canal is adversely affected vessel deadweight capacity. Space is restricted and vessels are booked 6+ weeks in advance of departure. Congestion at all transhipment points is causing delays.
West Coast North America – The service is heavily booked with Vancouver departures full until mid-April.
After the Seattle Express 509N ETD Tauranga March 20th, the next departure from Tauranga is the ANL Warrnambool v 513N, ETD 17 April. There is no vessel in week 14.
Plenty of space available on all lines Southbound.
Regular blank sailings, our next direct sailing from Long Beach is departing 17 March. The next sailing is not until the 31 March.
US Terminal Operations:
New York – berthing delays of up to 2.5 days.
Charleston – berthing delays of up to 2.5 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth is 4 days.
Houston – waiting time up to 2 days for a berth.
Oakland – berthing delays, port congestion is seeing an average of 4 days for uplifting containers from port.
Seattle – No berthing delays. Terminal 18 is now open 5 days per week having previously closed on Fridays. Rail import dwell time is 1-3 days.
Long Beach – Congestion on port is seeing delays of 4-8 days.
Customs Update
Reminder of BMSB Season.
Customs’ goods fee rates will change on 1 July 2025.
Cabinet has approved changes to the fees and levies that the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) charge to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border.
Customer Advisory
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.