Weekly Fuel Surcharge Update - Client Notice
To our Valued Customers,
Due to ongoing fluctuations in fuel costs, SILA Global has moved from a monthly Fuel Surcharge (FSC) to a weekly FSC review cycle. This change allows fuel-related costs to be reflected more accurately and ensures pricing remains aligned with current market conditions.
Clients can view the current applicable FSC at any time within the SILA Global Tariffs which are sent out monthly by our team.
If you have any questions regarding the FSC or its application to your shipments, please contact your SILA Global representative.
Best regards,
SILA Global Team
China Port Operations - Typhoons Causes Further Delays
To our Valued Customers,
Recent typhoon activity continues to disrupt port operations across China, with the effects of Typhoon Dolphin still being felt throughout the shipping network. While Dolphin has passed, vessel backlogs, terminal congestion, and schedule disruptions remain widespread across key export gateways.
Adding further pressure, Typhoon Saudel is currently impacting China's east coast and has forced additional port and warehouse closures, delaying recovery efforts and extending congestion throughout the region. According to industry updates received today, Shanghai terminals have been closed since the morning of 27 August and are expected to remain closed for at least two days. Ningbo terminals and warehouses have also been temporarily shut, with operations currently expected to resume on 29 August, weather permitting.
What importers can expect
- Delays to vessel arrivals and departures.
- Increased vessel waiting times and port congestion.
- Changes to published sailing schedules.
- Rolled bookings where vessel capacity becomes constrained.
- Vessels omiting affected ports such as Shanghai & Ningbo suddenly or with no warning
- Extended transit times on shipments departing China.
- Reduced schedule reliability across Asia-Pacific services.
Even after ports reopen, ongoing congestion and vessel bunching are expected to cause flow-on delays as carriers work through accumulated backlogs.
SILA Global Recommendation
Customers with cargo currently moving through Shanghai, Ningbo, or surrounding East China ports should allow additional time within their supply chain planning and monitor critical shipments closely.
Our team is actively monitoring carrier advisories and port developments and will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve.
If you have upcoming shipments that are time-sensitive, please contact your SILA Global representative to discuss current sailing schedules and potential impacts to your cargo.
Please reach out to sales@sila.net.au should you have any questions.
Best regards,
SILA Global Team
China Golden Week 2026 - Shipping & Supply Chain Planning Notice
China's Golden Week holiday will be observed from 1 - 7 October 2026 and may impact production, freight capacity, and shipment schedules before, during and after the holiday period.
What to expect:
- Factory closures or reduced production across China
- Increased demand for ocean and air freight capacity in the weeks leading up to the holiday
- Earlier cargo, documentation and customs cut-off dates
- Reduced trucking and warehouse availability
- Potential vessel schedule changes, blank sailings and shipment rollovers
- Delays as factories and logistics providers work through backlogs following the holiday
The most significant disruption is typically experienced in the weeks before and immediately after Golden Week, when demand for freight space is at its highest.
To minimise delays, we recommend confirming production schedules and arranging bookings as early as possible for cargo moving during September and October.
If you have any upcoming shipments from China, please contact your SILA representative to discuss planning requirements and secure capacity ahead of the holiday period.
Kind Regards,
The SILA Global Team
Port Congestion Situation in North China
Dear Valued Customers,
Several ports across China are continuing to experience congestion, resulting in vessel delays and schedule disruptions. Below is the latest update for key North China ports.
Dalian No congestion currently reported.
Qingdao Anchorage waiting times are approximately 1-2 days.
Ningbo Anchorage waiting times are currently 3-5 days.
Terminal delays:
- Terminal IV, Daxie and Meishan: approximately 5 days
- Terminal II and Terminal III: approximately 3 days
Estimated delays by trade lane departing Ningbo:
- North America: 3-5 days
- Latin America: 3-5 days
- Europe: 3-5 days
- Middle East & Africa: 3-5 days
- Asia: 3 days
- Oceania: 5 days
Shanghai Anchorage waiting times are currently 5-10 days.
Terminal delays:
- Waigaoqiao: 5-7 days
- Yangshan Terminal I and Terminal III: 5-7 days
- Yangshan Terminal IV: 7-10 days
Current berth-to-departure turnaround is averaging around 2 days.
Carrier schedules remain inconsistent, with some services reducing or omitting Shanghai calls and allocating additional capacity through Ningbo.
Estimated delays by trade lane departing Shanghai:
- North America: 5-7 days
- Latin America: 7-10 days
- Europe: 5-7 days
- Middle East & Africa: 4-6 days
- Asia: 4-6 days
- Oceania: 6-7 days
If you have any questions about current shipments or potential impacts to your supply chain, please contact your SILA representative.
Kind Regards,
SILA Global
Typhoon Season - Potential Supply Chain Impacts
To Our Valued Customers,
We would like to make customers aware that the upcoming typhoon season across North and Southeast Asia may affect shipping schedules, port productivity and inland transport services over the coming months.
While impacts vary by location and weather conditions, delays and schedule adjustments should be expected. This can result in ports being omitted from schedules by Shipping Lines without notice. Our team monitors developments closely and will communicate any significant disruptions affecting your cargo.
If you have time-sensitive shipments planned, please speak with your usual contact so that alternative arrangements can be considered where possible.
We appreciate your patience during one of the most disruptive seasons of the year.
Best regards,
SILA Global Team
Typhoon Dolphin disruption at East China ports
Dear Valued Customers,
Typhoon Dolphin came ashore at Yuhuan in Taizhou, Zhejiang on the evening of Sunday 9 August with sustained winds of 151 km/h, the strongest typhoon to hit China this year. Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan closed ahead of it and began phased reopening from 10 August. The backlog will affect sailings out of East China for the next two to three weeks.
What happened
Ningbo-Zhoushan closed fully from 18:00 on 7 August across its Beilun, Daxie, Meishan, Yongzhou and Zhenhai terminals, with more than 800 commercial vessels moved to safe anchorage. Shanghai followed on 8 August, with Yangshan halting empty container receiving at 06:00 and laden at 08:00, raising over 100 quay cranes and evacuating vessels offshore. Waigaoqiao stopped laden operations at midday. Both ports were closed through 8 and 9 August and began safety inspections, pilotage restoration and phased gate reopening on 10 August.
Both ports went into the closure already congested. Berth waiting times at Shanghai's major terminals were running between 4.4 and 8 days in the days beforehand, with yard density elevated after a heavy first half of the year. There was little slack in the system to absorb a four-day shutdown.
Where things stand
Berth waiting times at Shanghai's major terminals were running between 4.4 and 8 days before the closure. Vessel bunching after reopening is expected to push that to 7 to 10 days or more, with yard density between 75 and 90 per cent. Ningbo's pre-closure waits averaged 2 to 3 days, but with 800 vessels queued offshore, post-storm berth congestion there will be significant.
Expect vessel omissions, blank or amended sailings, and rolled cargo over the coming fortnight. Container gate-in appointments are constrained, and equipment repositioning will be slower than usual. Industry forecasts put recovery across Greater China ports at mid to late August, weeks 33 to 35.
Air freight
Shanghai's two airports cancelled 1,384 flights on 9 August and a further 943 on 10 August, cutting capacity by around 40 per cent. Ningbo Lishe cancelled all flights on 9 August and resumed on 10 August. Uplift capacity out of the region will be tight while backlogged cargo clears.
What this means for your cargo
If you have bookings loading out of Shanghai, Ningbo or nearby ports in August, allow additional transit time. Cargo already gated in may still be rolled if the nominated vessel omits the port, and downstream effects on Australian arrival windows should be expected even where the origin booking looks intact.
What we are doing
We are reviewing active bookings on affected services and will contact you directly where a vessel has been omitted, a booking rolled, or an ETD revised. Updated ETDs and ETAs will follow as carriers confirm them.
What would help
Tell us now if you have cargo that is time-critical, rather than closer to the deadline. If you are placing new orders for August or early September shipment, build the buffer in at the planning stage.
Thank you,
SILA Global Team
BMSB Season 2026-2027 – Australia
Dear Valued Clients,
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) risk season is fast approaching. Please review the below information to ensure your shipments remain compliant and avoid delays, treatment costs, storage charges, or unwanted biosecurity intervention.
BMSB Risk Season
The 2026-27 BMSB season applies to certain goods shipped to Australia as sea cargo between 1 September 2026 and 30 April 2027 (inclusive). There have been no significant changes to the season dates, target high-risk goods, or target risk countries for the 2026-27 season.
What's New for 2026-27?
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has advised the following key updates for the 2026-27 season:
- New onshore treatment option: Ethyl Formate has been added as an approved BMSB treatment option.
- Rolled Goods Policy removed.
- Safeguarding Scheme removed.
Affected Cargo
BMSB measures apply to:
- Target high-risk goods.
- Certain target risk goods.
- Goods manufactured in or shipped from designated BMSB target risk countries.
- Cargo transported as sea freight during the BMSB risk season.
High-risk commodities typically include:
- Machinery and mechanical equipment
- Vehicles and vehicle parts
- Metal products
- Construction materials
- Industrial equipment
Importers should review upcoming shipments to determine whether their cargo falls within a target risk category.
Treatment Requirements
Breakbulk, Flat Rack & Open Top Cargo
- Must be treated in accordance with DAFF BMSB requirements.
- Offshore treatment remains the preferred option for many breakbulk cargoes.
- Untreated high-risk cargo may be subjected to additional intervention on arrival.
FCL Containerised Cargo
- May be treated offshore or onshore where permitted under current DAFF requirements.
LCL Cargo
- Treatment requirements will depend on the cargo type, origin and packing arrangements.
We strongly recommend confirming treatment requirements prior to booking to avoid costly delays.
Recommended Actions
| Action Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Review upcoming shipments | Check origins, cargo type and shipment dates. |
| Confirm treatment requirements | Arrange treatment well before cargo departure. |
| Check documentation | Ensure treatment certificates and supporting documents are available. |
| Engage early | Contact SILA before booking if uncertain about BMSB applicability. |
| Monitor compliance | Maintain communication with suppliers and treatment providers. |
Should you have any questions regarding your shipments or BMSB requirements, please contact your SILA representative.
Shipping Market Overview - July 2026 (Rate Increases & Tight Space ex China)
As we move into July 2026, we near the typical peak season cycle where we see rates begin to climb as shipping lines implement Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) to their ocean freight rates. This year those usual Peak Season Surcharges are being implemented earlier than usual by the shipping lines, so we are already noting rate hikes ex various global trade lanes including China as well as tightening space.
Please see below for a market overview summary:
Market Overview
- Peak season has started earlier than usual, with strong demand pushing rates up across major global trades.
- Carriers are successfully implementing rate increases (RR) and surcharges (PSS), indicating a firm market.
- Market conditions are expected to strengthen further in the coming weeks, particularly due to limited capacity.
Rates & Space
- Freight rates: Rates are quite volatile & are rising weekly and are likely to keep increasing in the short term. On average, we’re seeing Peak Season Surcharges of around USD 200-500/TEU being added to current freight rates.
- Space availability: Very tight across key routes, especially into Australia and Europe. Ships are filling up quickly, and early booking is essential.
What’s Driving This
- Fuel pressure: Marine fuel supply is tightening, which is pushing up operating costs and contributing to higher freight rates.
- Strong demand: High shipping volumes (e.g. retail, e-commerce, energy equipment) are keeping pressure on capacity.
- Disruptions: Ongoing rerouting (e.g. around the Red Sea) is making voyages longer, reducing available space globally.
Australia
- Even with new services launching (Maersk “QILIN” and COSCO “A3X”), space is still extremely tight.
- These services may help eventually, but right now they haven’t reduced rates or eased congestion, in fact we are also seeing some blank sailings from lines which are adding further the space pressures
Europe & US
- Europe: Space is very tight, with many sailings full and delays reducing capacity.
- US: Demand is strong, driving rate increases, but space pressure is less severe than Europe.
Practical Implication
- Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance to secure space.
- Expect limited availability and rising costs, especially into East Australia.
- Budget for extra charges (e.g. container handling restrictions in China, port charges, infrastructure etc).
Easter Public Holiday Notice
Dear Clients,
Please be advised of our upcoming Easter long weekend closures and key operational dates.
Key Dates:
- Short weeks: 30/03–02/04 and 07/04–10/04
- All SILA offices closed:
- Good Friday – 03/04
- Easter Monday – 06/04
- Normal business hours resume: Tuesday, 07/04
Please note that weekend and public holiday surcharges may apply for collections over the long weekend, due to vessel availability and the shortened weeks.
We also remind clients that shipments should have a minimum of 14 free days, as shipping lines include weekends and public holidays within their free time allowances.
Thank you for your understanding,
Kind Regards,
SILA Team
New & Unused Declarations (NU)
To Our Valued Customers,
We wanted to provide a quick update regarding import documentation requirements for shipments into Australia.
To support smooth clearance outcomes and minimise the risk of delays, for goods that are new and unused, SILA will be requesting New & Unused Declarations (NU) more consistently across applicable shipments.
While this has not always been requested historically, both ABF and DAFF may require confirmation of goods condition as part of the import assessment process, even for goods generally considered low biosecurity risk.
Providing this upfront helps avoid delays, additional queries, and potential inspection directions once the entry is lodged. It also supports compliance in the event of post-clearance audits.
As an Australian Trusted Trader, SILA is committed to maintaining a high standard of documentation and audit readiness across all shipments.
We appreciate your support in implementing this requirement. If you have any questions, please reach out to your SILA representative.
Kind Regards,
SILA Team