Sep 2025 | Röhlig Australia Logistics Newsletter

• End of European Summer
  Production generally slows during the European summer season, as many factories temporarily close in July and August due to local holiday periods. As more companies reopen, we expect volumes to pick up through September, which may create a challenging period for space availability over the next few months.
• China
  Rates are starting to ease, which may present challenges moving forward. From China to Australia, capacity is expected to tighten as we approach peak season, encouraging customers to place orders early to avoid the traditional “rates and space” issues.
• Oil and Jet fuel prices
  Crude oil prices were under pressure, trading around US$67-$69 per barrel, a slight decrease from July. This was influenced by anticipated higher supply from potential reversals of OPEC+ production cuts and softening demand. Jet fuel prices also fell in the period due to lower crude prices and falling demand growth.
  See charts:  https://www.tradingview.com/chart/?symbol=TVC%3AUSOIL and  https://www.iata.org/en/publications/economics/fuel-monitor/ or download PDF file below.  

• Mammoth Freighters has completed the main cargo door installation on its fifth 777-200LRMF passenger-to-freighter conversion, in partnership with Aspire MRO in Fort Worth, Texas. This aircraft will be delivered to Qatar Airways Cargo, the launch customer, as part of a deal for five freighters through lessor Jetran.

  The company aims to complete test flights by early October as it moves toward Supplemental Type Certification (STC). The first test flight of the 777-200LRMF prototype took place in May.

  Mammoth currently has seven 777 aircraft under conversion (five in Texas, two in the UK), including both 777-200LRMF and 777-300ERMF models. It also installed the first cargo door on a 777-300ERMF in February, with flight testing for that model expected to finish by year-end.

  Mammoth is one of three companies offering 777-300ER freighter conversions, alongside IAI and KMC.

• For more information about our Air Freight services, please click Rohlig Air Freight, call your local account manager or our friendly Team.

• Vessel utilisation remains high across most major trade lanes into Oceania, particularly from North Asia and South East Asia. As we enter the peak season, strong import volumes into Australia and New Zealand are continuing to put pressure on available capacity.
• Carriers are actively managing space availability through port omissions and service adjustments, This in turn is leading to operational bottlenecks and challenges to overall service reliability.
• Europe-origin volumes eased during the August holiday period, but demand is expected to pick up from September as factories return to full production. Customers using transhipment services should anticipate longer delays at key hubs, particularly Singapore and Port Klang, where congestion and longer delays remain a prominent issue.
• Spot rates ex-North East Asia remain at elevated levels, supported by strong demand and ongoing space constraints. While minor fluctuations are visible across certain lanes and carriers, overall pricing is expected to remain stable through September.
• Australian Key ports such as Sydney and Melbourne are under heightened pressure, with delays arising from congestion, yard constraints, and weather impacts.
• Congestion at Auckland and Tauranga has improved compared to earlier in the year, though weather disruptions and vessel bunching continue to affect reliability.
• We expect the strong demand to continue through September, as importers ramp up shipments ahead of the peak pre-Christmas season. Ongoing equipment imbalances, particularly 40HC and reefer containers, are still being reported across key Far- East Asia ports.
• Carriers are likely to maintain tight management of available space, meaning schedule reliability and booking windows will remain key challenges.
• To help mitigate these supply chain challenges, we recommend early forecasting, advance bookings, and flexibility in services. Our team is committed to supporting you with the most reliable and cost-efficient options in this dynamic environment.

• Explosion Port of Hamburg
  
  On the afternoon of 25 August 2025, a major fire erupted at the Port of Hamburg, triggering multiple explosions and resulting in several injuries.
  
  The incident began with a vehicle fire inside a warehouse, which set off a series of gas cylinder explosions and spread flames to nearby buildings and industrial facilities.
  
  By the morning of 26 August 2025, the fire was mostly under control, though smaller flare-ups continued to burn.
  Learn more:
  Warehouse Fire Disrupts Hamburg Port and Leaves 10 Injured

Oceania new services

MSC adds new Port of call to KOALA Service

This upgraded service will offer reefer and dry cargo exporters in Melbourne competitive transit times with a direct connection to Jakarta. In addition, customers in Brisbane, Sydney, and New Zealand will benefit from improved connectivity via Melbourne.

Together with the Koala, Wallaby, and Panda services, shippers will now have access to three weekly sailings from Melbourne to Shanghai and Hong Kong, strengthening reliability and frequency on this key trade corridor.

For customers in Fremantle and Adelaide, the enhancement will provide greater access to the Trans-Tasman market and a direct connection to the Eagle service (effective February 2026), opening both direct and transshipment options to the USA via Melbourne.

Learn more: MSC expands Koala service to Melbourne - Container News 
 

ANL APR2 Service from NEA to Far North Queensland

ANL is excited to introduce the APR 2 service, delivering upgraded connections from North Asia to Papua New Guinea, with seamless transhipment to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, plus improved links to Far North Queensland.

Operating alongside the existing APR service, which continues to provide a fortnightly connection from South East Asia to PNG and Far North Queensland, the new APR 2 will give customers greater frequency, flexibility, and reliability across these key trade lanes.

• Port Rotation:
  Qingdao / Busan / Shanghai / Ningbo / Nansha / Lae / Motukea (Port Moresby) / Brisbane / Gladstone / Townsville / Qingdao
• Vessels & Frequency:   Operating 3x1700 TEU vessels on a 14-day frequency.
                                             - San Giorgio - ETD 12th September
                                             - Ela - ETD 26th September
                                             - Sevilla - ETD 10th October

Learn more: ANL | INTRODUCING APR 2 - ANL LAUNCHES NEW NORTH ASIA TO PNG AND FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND SERVICE

For more information about our Sea Freight services, please click Rohlig Sea Freight or call your local account manager or our friendly Team.  

“Nuisance” tariff reform

The Australian Government plans to abolish ~500 low-value “nuisance” tariffs from 1 July 2026 to reduce red tape and compliance costs (estimated savings: $127m p.a.).

What this means for importers:

• Many everyday tariff lines are proposed for removal.
• Less admin and potentially lower compliance costs from 2026.

The Department is inviting your input on:

• Tariff lines proposed for abolition (and any others to consider)
• Practical impacts on your trade/compliance processes

Please send feedback to NuisanceTariffs@Treasury.gov.au by COB Friday, 28 November 2025.

• More information on the proposed Removal of Further Nuisance Tariffs is available HERE.
• The COMPLETE list of around 500 Nuisance Tariffs is available HERE.

U.S. Tariff Update Changes

On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Government announced the suspension of the de minimis exemption for low-value shipments under USD $800. This change will take effect on August 29, 2025. 

Key Policy Changes 

• All imports into the U.S., regardless of shipment value, country of origin, or mode of transport, will now be subject to duties, taxes, and import regulations
• This means additional clearance requirements and potential cost impacts for businesses shipping to U.S. customers

How to Minimise Delays and Costs

• Ensure complete and accurate shipping documents
  • Product description: what it is, what it’s made of, and how it’s used
  • Country of origin/manufacture
  • 10-digit U.S. HTSUS code
  • Quantity and declared value
  • Importer Tax ID (EIN or SSN) for formal entries
• Provide full recipient details
  • Include consignee email and contact number for customs communication and duty/tax collection.
• Plan for landed costs
  • Avoid surprises by calculating duties and taxes upfront.
• Consider consolidation - If shipping to multiple U.S. consignees, consolidated entry can reduce clearance costs and processing time 

Quarantine

Commencement of the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced the commencement of the 2025–26 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Risk Season, effective 1 September 2025.

These seasonal measures will remain in place for goods shipped during the risk period.

Key Changes This Season

• Republic of Korea and Japan added to the emerging risk countries list.
• Target high-risk goods arriving as airfreight from the USA and China will now be subject to random inspections.
• Introduction of Ethyl Formate as a new offshore treatment option.
• Updated application process for the BMSB In-Transit and Rolled policy.

Safeguarding Arrangements

The Safeguarding Arrangements Scheme remains available this season. This offers an alternative clearance pathway for high-risk goods imported as sea cargo in six hard-sided shipping containers during the BMSB season. Applications are now open.

Further Information

• DAFF BMSB webpage: agriculture.gov.au/bmsb
• Safeguard arrangements: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Safeguarding Arrangements Scheme - DAFF
• Rohlig website: Commencement if the 2025-2026 BMSB Season
• Please find our handy Röhlig BMSB Flyer here
• Contact your Rohlig Account manager

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Rohlig Customs Broker Representative or Account Manager.

Did you know Röhlig offers a parcel service?

Yes, we do! It’s called Röhlig Courier — and it’s designed to make shipping small parcels simple, reliable, and fast.

Why it’s amazing:

• Easy-to-use online platform — no software require
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If you didn’t know about it, now you do. And once you try it, you’ll see how easy parcel shipping can be.

Watch the video to see how easy it works
Learn more: www.rohligcourier.com
Contact us: au.courier@rohlig.com