Author: GPSM

As we are seeing on the daily news bulletins, the price of diesel fuel has again increased dramatically in the last week.

The supply of same from normal distributors has also slowed, with many companies reducing delivery quantities in an effort to stretch existing stocks in their facilities. This is greatly impacting our costs as we have recently been forced to pay in excess of $ 3.00/litre to top up some trucks fuel tanks at retail service stations.

The most recent diesel fuel cost increase is now close to 100% on the cost some 2 weeks ago.

GPSM has introduced weekly fuel updates in line with the market, the rates applicable for week commencing 30th March 2026 will be as follows:

• Sydney/Melbourne 34%
• Brisbane 39%
• Adelaide/Fremantle 39%

We shall keep you updated each week on the rates applicable for the following week.

Emergency Fuel Surcharges:

Shipping Lines are reviewing the introduction of Emergency Fuel Surcharges from Asia, and same are expected to be implemented from 1st April 2026, although no final decision has been made at present. One shipping line has already implemented the Surcharge effective 22nd March from Korea, Taiwan and Japan to Australian and New Zealand ports, in the form of adding a Low Sulphur Surcharge (previously included in the rates) or an Emergency Fuel Surcharge from these areas of USD 150.00/20ft and USD 300.00/40ft FCL.

The same rate has been applied from SE Asian ports in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam as well as ports in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and all Middle east ports.

Other carriers are yet to announce their intentions, however we do expect they will implement surcharges in some form from April, we will provide further details as soon as possible.

 

Trucking Fuel Levies:

The local cost of diesel fuel continues to increase every few days, with the latest diesel Terminal Gate Price (TGP) data showing that TPG diesel pricing has continued to soar (percentage increase between 2nd March 2026 to 20th March 2026) was between 69.62% and 71.54% across the nation.

The average TGP of diesel on Friday, 20th March ranged between 280.9 cents per litre (cpl) to 287.5 cpl, with the National Average being 282.4 cpl, up from an average of 165.0cpl earlier in March.

Most trucking companies around the country have changed to a weekly fuel levy update and GPSM will be forced to do the same as fuel contributes a significant amount to our costs. The fuel levies we are seeing from many truckers at present are unprecedented and are well above the rates being applied by GPSM.

Moving forward we will announce each Friday the percentage levy for all pick-ups and deliveries for the following week until the price of fuel stabilises again.

As the Middle East conflict enters its third week, significant impacts are being felt on global shipping and airfreight movements.

With some 400,000 teu’s (twenty foot equivalent units) currently stranded on vessels in the Middle East, those containers are basically out of operation and may have an effect on the availability of empty equipment in many countries. As all services are suspended to and from all Middle East ports at present, equipment shortages and sailing schedule changes may start to appear across Asia.

Significant Emergency Surcharges have been imposed by shipping lines with the view they will now offload/load cargo in safe ports in Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia and land-bridge all containers to/from their ultimate destinations in order to have their vessels again operating and not sitting at anchor away from the conflict area.

Many shipping lines and LCL cargo consolidators have already announced emergency fuel/war surcharges on many trade routes with some effective from 16th March, 2023, at this time there has been no announcement of any surcharges from North East Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Philippines) to Australia, however that could change at any time in the next week.

As far as airfreight is concerned, a huge volume of cargo moves globally via Middle East hubs, so with all flights effectively cancelled at present between these hubs and Asia, Europe and Australia, capacity has been cut dramatically. Flights to Australia and New Zealand now relying on Asian airlines to move any cargo without long delays. The rates from Asian carriers have increased as a result of the increased demand and the additional fuel costs the airlines are now facing.

Please bear in mind the Middle East situation has thrown shipping/airline schedules, fuel costs and surcharges into chaos across the globe and there could be further changes in costs at any moment, we are monitoring the situation closely and will advise further as we receive additional information from shipping lines, airlines and various industry news sources.

Given the developments in the Middle East War and the effect it is having on fuel prices, global oil prices have risen sharply with substantial cost increases across Australia.

The diesel fuel cost has risen to over $ 2.50/litre over the past two (2) weeks. As one of our major factors in transport operating costs, fuel has a direct impact on our ability to provide a reliable and efficient service to all clients.

In order to remain viable we will be increasing our fuel levies as follows in line with all other trucking companies Australia wide, many of whom have already increased their rates:

• For NSW pick-ups and deliveries the rate will increase to 30% from 23/3/26
• For all pick-ups and deliveries in other states, the rate will increase to 32% effective from 23/3/26.

 

GPSM will continue to monitor fuel costs on a regular basis and make any adjustments necessary in line with market variations.

China Rate Levels:

We are pleased to advise that ocean rates from China ports have taken some substantial cuts over the last two (2) weeks, we saw some good reductions in mid-February and again from 1st March, 2026.

In the last 24 hours we have received three (3) updates from various carriers to the East Coast Australia ports, those rates now being at their lowest level in recent years. There have been no changes to rates to Fremantle and Adelaide at this time.

 

Middle East Conflict:

The Middle East war continues to occupy news items at present, the repercussions on global supply chains will be substantial. Below is the latest information on the situation:

Airfreight:

• Middle East airport hubs in Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai remain closed due to missile and drone attacks, all air space in the area remains closed.
• We understand that a handful of flights have departed the Middle East overnight with a couple to India, one flight to London and another to Rome.
• All flights to/from Australia are still delayed, and several carriers from the area have aircraft grounded in all major Australian cities.

Seafreight:

• The Strait of Hormuz is closed, all tanker and container traffic to/from United Arab Emirites, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman ports are either staying in port or seeking safe refuge elsewhere.
• Shipping Lines operating services to/from these ports have immediately implemented contingency measure to maintain vessel and crew safety.
• Lines have announced that substantial Emergency War Surcharges have been implemented on all cargo to and from these ports from 2nd March 2026, the rate level varies from line to line but we have already seen rates as high as USD 2,000/20ft and USD 4,000/40ft container advised.
• With the Suez Canal still closed, it should be noted that currently, there are no changes to the services operated to/from Australia and North Europe/UK, all vessels are still transiting via Cape of Good Hope as they have for the past 12 months, well away from the war zone.
• There has been no announcement on any changes on services to/from Mediterranean ports despite a drone attack on Cyprus yesterday.

 

GPSM will keep all clients updated on further developments as more news comes to hand.

The Military action undertaken over the weekend in the Middle East has caused major disruption to freight and passengers. The Middle East is a critical global aviation hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.

Widespread airspace closures and airport disruptions are now having global ripple effects, including on air cargo capacity and schedule reliability.

Below is a recap of the situation at present:

Seafreight:

• Major shipping lines that were trialling Suez Canal transits under military escort via Bab el-Mandeb Strait have suspended services immediately and re-routed same via the Cape of Good Hope.
• Some carriers are already advising that a War Risk Surcharge will be applicable form load ports in Upper Gulf, Arabian Gulf and Persian Gulf. Further details to be advised.

Airfreight:

• Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar has been closed or heavily restricted.
• Major regional hub airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, have been shut.
• Thousands of passenger and cargo flights have been cancelled or rerouted, with aircraft and crews displaced globally, complicating recovery once airspace reopens.

Emirates (Dubai)

• Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai due to multiple regional airspace closures.
• Dubai International Airport sustained damage during Iranian strikes.
• Emirates has advised that services will resume only when conditions permit safe operations and that further updates will be issued.

Qatar Airways (Doha)

• Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.
• The airline has stated that operations will resume only once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms the safe reopening of airspace.
• Qatar Airways has advised that a further update will be provided, noting that schedules may change at short notice.

Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)

• Etihad has cancelled all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, advising customers that the situation remains dynamic.
• The airline has confirmed that additional updates will be issued as conditions evolve.

Other international carriers

• Multiple global airlines have cancelled or rerouted services due to the loss of safe overflight corridors.
• Cathay Pacific has confirmed suspensions affecting both passenger services and freighter operations at Dubai’s Al Maktoum airport, directly reducing global air cargo capacity.

Air Cargo Implications

The Gulf is a major global air cargo interchange, and the shutdown of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi has significantly reduced available uplift.

• Airlines are facing longer routings, higher fuel burn and increased operating costs, placing upward pressure on air freight rates.
• Even after airspace reopens, network recovery is expected to be staged, due to aircraft and crew dislocation.

 

GPSM will keep all clients updated as soon as further news is available, we trust you understand that air cargo awaiting uplift or already en-route to Australia via above hubs could be delayed until the situation improves, our Customer Service Team will keep clients updated as best as possible given the limited information that airlines are going to be in a position to quickly confirm.

ICS Log-In Performance Issues:

The ICS system is currently experiencing performance issues, resulting in an unplanned disruption to messaging.

Clients submitting the following declarations are affected:

• Full Import Declaration (FID)
• Long Form Self-Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
• Short Form Self-Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
• Cargo Report Self-Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
• Cargo Report – Personal Effects (PE)

Status as at: 9:34am, Tuesday 3 February 2026 (AEDT)

Messaging between the Department of Home Affairs (including ICS) and DAFF is currently being queued and will be transmitted once services are restored.

The issue is under investigation by DoHA and the Australian Border Force. Further updates will be provided once services are confirmed as operational.