BULLETIN : Ongoing Vessel Delays and Port Congestion Disrupt Ocean Freight to Australia

Ocean freight services into Australia continue to face significant operational disruptions. We are witnessing increasing examples of delayed vessel arrivals, skipped port calls, and re-sequencing of port rotations. These challenges are the result of multiple converging factors, including persistent congestion at key Australian ports, weather-related delays, industrial action, and upstream issues at origin ports across Asia.

Given the ongoing volatility across global shipping routes and persistent delays at Australian ports, clients are strongly advised to build additional time into their logistics planning. Lead times that were once considered standard may no longer be sufficient, particularly for time-sensitive or seasonal cargo within peak period shipping times. Where possible, booking earlier, allowing for buffer days, and maintaining flexibility in routing options will help mitigate the risk of missed deadlines or inventory shortfalls.

We recommend engaging with our account handling teams to optimise results for your cargo in advance.