AXIMA December Market Update

This year demonstrated the adaptability of global freight and trade, navigating all manner of challenges and still succeeding in getting the goods people rely on from A to B. It’s important as we go into this final month of the year, to reflect on events and use the learning to improve plans for the year ahead.

11 Dec 2025

Welcome to the December 2025 Market Update.

Already major terminal operators are gearing up for 2026, with DP World and Patricks announcing their fee and charges increases for all their Australian operations, and all terminals in Victoria doing the same. You’ll find a full run down of those later in this newsletter.

Many will already be planning for Q1 2026, because no sooner are the stockrooms cleared duringChristmas shopping season than everyone starts preparing for change of seasons and Easter. In terms of cargo movements from Europe there could be some good news for Australian importers, with Houthi rebels agreeing to a ceasefire that may see carriers return to the Suez Canal route.

The Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa has been the go-to since it became too dangerous to risk the Red Sea region, which, for nearly two years, has added considerably to the time and cost for carriers and shippers alike. Bloomberg has done an excellent write up here, analysing the situation. According to industry experts, the return to the Suez will not be rapid, particularly as the insurers will be looking for the ceasefire to prove robust and lasting. Maersk and MSC are both expressing caution.

Another side of the conversation is the degree to which using the Cape of Good Hope has been absorbing carrier capacity across the market. If a large number of ships return to the shorter Suez Canal route, it will have the effect of considerably increasing available space globally, which would put downward pressure on prices, never a thing carriers are keen to see.

It might be a good topic to explore in a chat with your Client Success Manager or Client Service Specialist before you head off for a well-earned break!

North Asia

Christmas orders gave the carriers momentum to push through a GRI of US 300 per TEU from November 1, and they attempted to make it a double whammy with a second one announced of USD 500 per for the second half of November, except that GRI did not gain the traction they hoped as demand didn’t remain high enough to justify the increase.

ANL has also announced a GRI of USD 300 per TEU for the first half of December, however, it will almost certainly fail because most importers are unlike to want containers arriving during the holiday break in Australia. A further December GRI of USD 300 per TEU has also been announced to start from December 15, and this may succeed if the volume of orders for New Year stock replenishment and preparations for Easter is high enough.

Everything is currently working smoothly in the region from a landside perspective, right back to the factory. There are still some delays for sailings from North Asia to East Coast ports, and this is partly due to the carriers continuing to blank sailings to retain an upper hand on supply and pricing. There are no indications the carriers plan on adding additional capacity to the trade lane in 2026, so we can expect them to continue to keep the blank sailings strategy in place.

Transshipment cargo headed for Australia’s West Coast ports is also subject to some delays, due to the ongoing congestion in Singapore.

Despite this, overall the situation with schedule integrity is much improved compared to last year.

For air freight, rates ex China have increased and space is getting tight due to increased volumes, with eCommerce taking a substantial share of capacity. Last minute Christmas orders are expected to keep rates high for at least the first part of this month, and an increase in the number of tourists will also impact the amount of space available for commercial cargo. Ex Hong Kong, rates and space are stable, as AXIMA is booking under BSA.

South East Asia

Consistency is the character of the market in this region, to the point the carriers failed to gain traction with two GRIs for USD 300 per TEU in November. Volume of goods and demand for space from SE Asia to Australia is very stable, so the carriers only achieved a very mild rate adjustment.

While the ongoing congestion in Singapore and Port Kelang continue to cause problems, with delays of between one and two weeks for cargo transshipped via those hubs, otherwise freight operations are running smoothly across the region.

Rates are generally starting to soften a little, and no GRI is expected for December and both demand and volumes are looking stable.

This is also the case for air freight, with services and rates ex key SE Asia airports remaining steady and no major issues reported.

North America

The ongoing trade battle between the US government and China appears to have reached a détente, with the White House publishing a fact sheet outlining the results of an agreement reached between the US President and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met in South Korea on October 30.

The main items of importance for Australian importers and exporters are China will be taking some action to control exports of a range of chemicals to countries around the world as part of meeting US demands to reduce the availability of fentanyl in the US. There will also be a lifting of many of China’s retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products, China has committed to major purchases of US soybeans, and it will suspend various investigations into a range of US companies in the IT sector.

For its part, the US will ease some of the tariff measures it has imposed on China’s exports and its action against Chinese-built vessels, while still working with partners in Asia to revive US ship building.

For more details of the agreement, see here.

In US local shipping news, there was a narrow escape for crew of the ONE container ship Henry Hudson when an electrical fire broke out while it was berthed at Port of Los Angeles and the ship had to be towed out to anchorage. The crew of 23 were safely evacuated, and no damage was caused to port infrastructure. Read the full story here.

US truckers are concerned that ongoing congestion at US port terminals may see shipping lines and terminals resume billing them for detention and demurrage charges. The trucking sector had previously taken action against the charges, which the Federal Maritime Commission had ruled were inappropriate and excessive. The FMC has hinted it may address D&D charges again in a future ruling.

Europe

European finance ministers have agreed to commence imposing customs duties on low value parcels entering the Eu as a measure to address the flood of cheap eCommerce imports from Asia via platforms such as Shien and Temu.

The current EU de minimis customs duty exemption applies for eCommerce parcels valued at less than 150 Euros. This allows online retailers to send goods direct from factories in Asia to clients in Europe without paying customs duty.

According to Reuters, the number of low-value eCommerce parcels arriving in the EU doubled in 2024 to 4.6 billion, and more than 90 percent of these parcels originated from China.

Concerns raised by EU officials include risks of non-compliant products that do not meet applicable safety standards, the environmental toll of shipping products with short lifespans and that many of these shipments are deliberately undervalued to avoid customs. In addition, there are challenges for EU-based manufacturers and retailers struggling to compete with cheap imports.

The EU authorities plan to create an EU Customs Authority and an EU Customs Data Hub as part of an overhaul of its import and customs system. This should deliver cost savings to individual member nations and enable improved coordination.

The UK – which is not a member of the EU – is also looking to end its de minimis exemption, and for similar reasons. As part of the UK Government Budget speeches delivered in November, the government promised to have a system in place for charging customs duties on low value eCommerce parcels entering the UK by March 2029.

According to Reuters, the number of low-value eCommerce parcels arriving in the EU doubled in 2024 to 4.6 billion, and more than 90 percent of these parcels originated from China.

New Zealand

There are some significant shifts underway in New Zealand, including further discussions to grow the trading relationship between NZ and India. India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, made his first official visit to New Zealand recently, to demonstrate the growing strength of the relationship.

The negotiations between the two nations have been underway since March 2025, with the goal of achieving a comprehensive trade agreement. The latest round of negotiations focused on key areas including Rules of Origin, Trade in Goods and Trade in Services. Currently, NZ exports around NZ$718 million worth of goods annually to India, primarily forestry and agricultural products.

The NZ Government has also announced it is progressing amendments to the biosecurity act that applies to all imports entering the country and also the carriers, equipment and personnel. The final proposals for the Biosecurity Act Amendment Bill can be read here Proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act | NZ Government.

Australia Ports

With the new year just around the corner, many of the major terminal operators have released their planned fees and charges increases that will take effect on January 1, 2026. In Victoria, all terminal operators are now obliged by law to align with the start of the new year. Patricks, dnata and DP World have made a voluntary decision to align the start date for their increases at all their terminals around the country with that January 1, 2026 date also.

For clarity, we are reporting increases grouped by operator, with links to further information, rather than putting every detail here in the newsletter. We have also included details of holiday season operating hours where those have been provided.

So, you can go to the exact information you need easily – and if you need further clarification a quick call to your Client Success Manager or Client Service Specialist is your next port of call.

dnata

For dnata’s air cargo handling terminals at Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, there have been increases announced for tariffs, storage fees, documentation, special cargo handling fees, terminal handling fees, goods handling and inspection fees. Read the full list of charges here.

Over the holiday period, Sydney T1 and T2 will be open on the Public Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day), however, for reduced hours. Brisbane and Melbourne facilities will also observe reduced hours on the public holiday dates.

Perth will maintain standard operating hours throughout, while Adelaide and Darwin are closed for the public holiday dates.

DP World

DP World is adjusting its landside charges from January 1 2026 at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle. It has also given notice it is introducing a Stack Run Laden Shortfall and Extension Fee for Brisbane and Sydney, and has updated the T&Cs for National Carrier Access.

For details, see:

DPW Landside Charges – BRISBANE 2026
DPW Landside Charges – SYDNEY 2026
DPW Landside Charges – MELBOURNE 2026
DPW Landside Charges – FREMANTLE 2026
DPW Stack Run Laden Shortfall and Extension Fee – Brisbane & Sydney
National Carrier Access T&Cs effective 02 December 2025

The operator says the charge increases are to assist with its ongoing capital works across all four terminals, including investments in equipment and civil expansion works.

Patricks

Patricks also says the increases in Landside and Ancillary Charges for all main terminals will help it with ongoing capital works and recouping operational cost increases. The new charges come into effect from January 1, 2026.

The official notices can be found via the links below:

2025-10-31 – Landside Charges – Notice to Customers (Notice of Intention)
Dangerous Goods Charges January 2026
Storage and Ancillary Patrick Brisbane AutoStrad Terminal January 2026
Storage and Ancillary Patrick Fremantle January 2026
Storage and Ancillary Patrick Melbourne January 2026
Storage and Ancillary Patrick Sydney AutoStrad Terminal January 2026
Terminal Landside Charge Brisbane January 2026
Terminal Landside Charge Fremantle January 2026
Terminal Landside Charge Melbourne January 2026
Terminal Landside Charge Sydney January 2026
VBS Charges Brisbane AutoStrad Terminal January 2026
VBS Charges Melbourne January 2026
VBS Charges Fremantle January 2026
VBS Charges Patrick Sydney AutoStrad Terminal January 2026
Weight Amendment Fee – Landside (Pondus) January 2026
Note – Container Operator Charges on E-Link January 2026
Early Late Receivals Protocol January 2026

Sydney

There were some short-lived disruptions to operations at Port Botany on November 25, with the Maritime Union of Australia holding authorised stop work meetings that affected DP World and Hutchinson Ports Terminals.

Brisbane

Weather and technology have both caused some chaos at port of Brisbane., On November 20, there was power damage to critical infrastructure that caused delays to container movements at DP World Brisbane.

Then on November 24, a severe storm passed through and caused major disruption to operations that extended into Wednesday. A stack of containers in Module 8 toppled due to high winds, resulting in safety issues for several surrounding stacks that required rectification before movements of containers could continue.

Melbourne

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) has announced its intention to change Landside and Ancillary Charges from January 1 2026.

Read the full details in the official notices:

Industry Notice (60 Days) Vehicle Booking System (incl infrastructure / terminal access charges)

Industry Notice (60 Days) Late Receival Fee

Industry Notice (60 Days) Maritime Security Levy

Darwin

The Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory recently published its 2025 Ports Price Monitoring Report for the Port of Darwin. The data shows the standard charges set by the port for services including pilotage, port dues, wharfage, berthage and land entry charges increased by 2.9 percent for 2025-2026, with the rise taking effect on July 1, 2025. The IFCBAA (International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Australia) said it does not view the increases as being unreasonable.

Calls for regulatory action on stevedoring charges

With the majority of port terminal operators giving notice of increases to Terminal Access Charges and ancillary fees across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth from January 1, 2026 Freight and Trade Alliance and the Australian Peak Shippers Association have renewed their call for the government to take action to rein in the price hikes.

In a joint statement, the industry advocates said that “the magnitude of the increases (mostly between 5% and 15% and exceeding 45% at DP World Fremantle) highlights a failure of the voluntary arrangements to provide any meaningful protection to Australian exporters and importers.”

In addition to a recent Daily Cargo News opinion piece – Paying more, getting less: Australia’s ports under the microscope – FTA and APSA have launched a broader mainstream media campaign.

The organisations also continue to engage with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in the lead-up to the soon-to-be-released Container Stevedore Monitoring Report 2024–25, and continue to urge the government to heed the advice of the regulator and fast-track meaningful reform.

COP 30 outcomes update

An in-principal agreement at COP 30 in Brazil has resulted in Australia agreeing to take on the COP31 presidency and lead global climate negotiations with Turkey acting as the physical host nation for the 2026 climate conference in Antalya.

The FTA has noted this is relevant for industry, because Australia assuming the presidency of COP31 places it at the centre of shaping future climate-related trade rules and supply chain standards, many of which will ultimately flow through to logistics, transport, and border operations.

This may include:

Stronger emissions reporting obligations
Sustainability and environmental disclosure requirements
Fuel transition policies affecting shipping and aviation
Carbon border or low-emissions trade measures
Decarbonisation expectations for ports, carriers, warehouses and 3PLs

Key developments from COP30:

G20 Emissions Targets (Greenpeace Analysis): Insufficient 2035 targets may accelerate the introduction of carbon-related trade measures, impacting import/export compliance.
South Korea’s Fossil Fuel Phase-Out: As a major Australian coal client, South Korea’s energy transition signals long-term structural changes in bulk commodity shipping and port logistics.
Green Skills Gap (LinkedIn 2025 Report): Demand for green-skilled workers is growing twice as fast as available talent (8% vs 4%), signalling resourcing pressures for transport, warehousing, and compliance roles as sustainability requirements ramp up.

How one loose wire brought down a bridge

One of the noteworthy shipping incidents of 2024 was the March 26 collision of the Neopanamax container ship MV Dali with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The accident caused the deaths of six workers, closed down port operations for weeks and cut the key commuter link between the Port of Baltimore and the rest of the city.

A single loose wire caused all of this disruption and grief, a safety investigation has found.

The findings by the US National Transportation Safety Board were that a loose wire in the ship’s electrical system caused a breaker switch to open, which ended up causing a blackout, loss of propulsion and steering and collision with the bridge.

One. Loose. Wire. It is another reminder of how important even small details are in protecting lives and operations.

A positive to come out of the investigation is that authorities reported that the quick action of the Dali pilots, the shoreside dispatchers, and the Maryland Transportation Authority prevented a greater loss of life.

Upgraded Koala Services strengthens VICT links with Asia

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) has been added to the call rotation for MSC’s revamped Koala service. The first berthing on October 4 kickstarts a new opportunity for importers and exporters in Victoria to benefit from direct connection to major ports in China and Indonesia.

The weekly Koala service rotation covers Shanghai – Hong Kong – Jakarta – Fremantle – Adelaide – Melbourne – Jakarta – Shanghai, and Melbourne is the final major outbound Australian port. The rotation has seven vessels deployed on the route, with an approximately 35 day round trip time.

AXIMA holiday closures

Please note that AXIMA offices will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and our office hours will end earlier on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve so our team can get to celebrations with family and friends.

We won’t be leaving you without support, however. Over the Public Holidays, the following people are available in the event of an emergency:

Chief Client Officer: Lechae Dolan 0422 407 433 lechaed@axima.com.au
National Transport Manager: David White 0406 328 900 davidw@axima.com.au
National Operations Manager: Suley Tahir 0438 780 350 suleyt@axima.com.au

If you do have any freight arriving over the public holidays, please liaise with your Client Services Specialist or Client Success Manager so we can assist with planning and do everything possible to mitigate any additional cost risks or delays.

Let’s draw a line under all that

There’s something cathartic about drawing a line under the year and opening up the blank page in the January 2026 planner. This year has seen some major shifts in world affairs and trade relationships, and this has had a ripple effect across the global freight sector.

But here we are, right near the tail end of the year and the economy in Australia is still afloat, shoppers are confident and the summer season of gatherings and celebrating connection and belonging is here. There is so much to be thankful for, including the strong relationships we all build with our colleagues and clients. This is also something that gives us cause for optimism for 2026, because together, we are equal to whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

For more information, contact us:

CALL: +61 0409 785 214 | EMAIL: globalpartnerships@axima.com.au