Author: GPSM

Rates from Asia to Australia:

As per our previous Newsflashes, shipping lines operating from Far East Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan) to Australia have diverted some of the vessels normally on the Australian East Coast trade to the Asia-USA trade as US importers continue to ship large cargo volumes in an effort to beat the Trump Administration tariffs increases. The deadline for the tariffs was listed as 9th July however this week that deadline was moved to 1st August.

The result is that less space is now available on the Australian trade and in addition, some lines have continued to offer only a fortnightly sailing to Australia, thereby creating a false peak market. The lines have increased rates since mid-June and we expect those increases will continue in July and August as the lines try to gain extra income.

We are fast approaching the usual Peak Season so do not be surprised if the lines implement a Peak Season Surcharge as part of their money grab, we have not seen one in recent years so it will be interesting to see how they try to manipulate the market moving forward.

 

Operations in Northern European Ports:

The main hub ports of Hamburg, Antwerp and Rotterdam are continuing to face vessel delays as a result of strikes, large volumes moving and operational issues resulting in large backlogs of containers at the ports. The situation has been further exasperated by a recent four (4) day rail shutdown due to fires, and the low water level in the inland rivers and canals is also affecting container movements. The low water levels are expected to worsen in coming weeks with very hot weather prevailing at the present time and little rain.

 

Suez Canal Disruptions continue:

All sailings are still avoiding the Suez Canal and the situation is expected to continue for some time.

Just this week the Houti rebels attached a Liberian flagged bulk carrier in the Red Sea as it was enroute to a port in Israel, their action reported as in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.

The vessel has subsequently sunk and a number of crew are still unaccounted for, presumed drowned.

What has changed?

Due to notification of outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Italy (23 June 2025) and France (30 June 2025) the department has removed Italy and France from the LSD-Free Country List.

Following the release of the dairy review the department has reviewed the import conditions for dairy that require the goods to be sourced from, manufactured in and exported from countries on the LSD-Free Country List. The department is removing this import condition, and dairy goods will no longer be required to be sourced from, manufactured in and exported from countries on the LSD-Free Country List.

The decision to remove the condition for freedom from LSD aligns with the findings of the Import risk review for dairy products for human consumption – Final Report. The report found that the biosecurity risk of LSD in dairy was managed by pasteurisation or an approved heat treatment (as listed on the import permit).

No other import conditions have changed, and they must be complied with.

Permits for cheese remain unaffected as LSD conditions are not required for cheese.

For more information refer to:

Trade situation in Europe – DAFF

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) wish to inform members of further updates from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) following recent Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) outbreaks in Europe (refer recent member notices referring to Italy and France outbreaks).

The department has now released Import Industry Advice Notice 214-2025 outlining revised import conditions for Dairy Products for Human Consumption, dated 3 July 2025.

 

Who does this notice affect?

Importers of dairy products (excluding cheese, chocolate and lactose) for human consumption.

 

What has changed?

Due to notification of outbreaks of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Italy (23 June 2025) and France (30 June 2025) the department has removed Italy and France from the LSD-Free Country List.

Following the release of the dairy review the department has reviewed the import conditions for dairy that require the goods to be sourced from, manufactured in and exported from countries on the LSD-Free Country List. The department is removing this import condition, and dairy goods will no longer be required to be sourced from, manufactured in and exported from countries on the LSD-Free Country List.

The decision to remove the condition for freedom from LSD aligns with the findings of the Import risk review for dairy products for human consumption – Final Report. The report found that the biosecurity risk of LSD in dairy was managed by pasteurisation or an approved heat treatment (as listed on the import permit).

No other import conditions have changed, and they must be complied with.

Permits for cheese remain unaffected as LSD conditions are not required for cheese.

For more information refer to:

Trade situation in Europe – DAFF

 

Future biosecurity arrangements

The department will contact individual import permit holders to vary their permits to remove the LSD conditions.

 

For goods that are currently in transit to Australia

This change is not expected to adversely impact importers as the change reduces regulation.

The department will assess these goods on a case-by-case basis, and if the goods meet all import conditions on the import permit, other than the conditions relating to the LSD-Free Country List, the goods can be released.

If you experience clearance issues, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

 

Further information

Information about LSD can be found on the department’s website.

Please contact the department by phone 1800 900 090 or email to [email protected] if you have any questions.

Members handling imports of these commodities are strongly advised to review supply chain arrangements and ensure compliance with the updated import conditions to avoid clearance delays and potential re-export or destruction orders.

Full details of Import Industry Advice Notice (IIAN) 214-2025 is available HERE

In a concerning turn of events, on 30 June 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was notified of an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in France. The department no longer recognises France as free from LSD and has removed this country from the LSD-free country list and the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues.

This means both France and Italy are now not considered as LSD-Free countries.

Impacted goods include:

• Dairy, excluding cheese, lactose and chocolate, that is sourced, manufactured or exported from France
• Laboratory goods containing bovine fluids or tissues that list France as a country of origin, manufacture or export
• Laboratory goods that reference the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues
• Bovine reproductive material from France
• Petfood, stockfeed and veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine material from France.

The department will contact individual import permit holders shortly to advise them on ongoing arrangements for their import permits.

For goods that are currently in transit to Australia the department will assess these goods on a case-by-case basis, and if the biosecurity risk can be effectively managed, the goods can be released.

If you experience clearance issues, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Please contact the department by phone 1800 900 090 or email to [email protected] if you have any questions.

More information about LSD and the trade situation in Europe can be found on the department’s website. Note the website will be updated with more information as it becomes available.

Please click here to view IIAN 212-2025 in its entirety.

As gale force winds and heavy rain continue to batter the New South Wales coastline, most port terminals in Sydney have suspended all yard operations as well as vessel operations and movements.

Empty container parks are also mostly closed for today and some LCL depots are also not operating due to the strong winds.

The GPSM Transport Team will keep all clients affected by delayed deliveries updated as soon as possible.

Further information has been received regarding the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in Italy.

Goods impacted by the outbreak

These include, but are not limited to:

• Goods containing greater than 10% dairy by dry weight where the dairy is sourced, manufactured or exported from Italy, other than commercially prepared and packaged chocolate. This includes goods that contain more than 10% dairy by dry weight in total but less than 10% Italian dairy. For further information regarding the impacts on dairy products, see Clarification for composite dairy products and the 25 April 2025 cutoff, below.
• Pet food and stock feed containing or derived from bovine materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Italy.
• Veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine materials sourced, manufactured or exported from Italy.
• Laboratory goods containing bovine fluids and tissues, including but not limited to animal fluids and tissues, culture media, foetal bovine serum and other laboratory materials, where the permit states bovine material is sourced, manufactured or exported from Italy.
• Reproductive material derived from cattle, water buffalo and susceptible zoo animals, such as zoo bovids, sourced or exported from Italy.

Any goods in transit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and potentially subject to biosecurity measures. Assessment may include consideration of whether the product or ingredients were fully finished or exported from Italy before 25 April 2025.

Goods that pose an unacceptable biosecurity risk may be subject to biosecurity measures such as export, treatment or destruction. Importers and brokers who are unsure of the status of their goods should contact [email protected] for advice before arranging the export of any goods from Italy to Australia.

Goods NOT impacted

Goods that do not require country freedom from LSD, include but are not limited to:

• Goods containing less than 10% dairy by dry weight and no other ingredients of biosecurity concern for human consumption.
• Lactose, solid chocolate, including imitation chocolate, and ghee for human consumption.
• Collagen, with a permit, for human consumption.
• Retorted dairy, meat and petfood, with a permit.

Impacts on import permit holders

To manage the biosecurity risks to Australia, we have initiated contact with permit holders and permit applicants impacted by the LSD outbreak in Italy. We are now working with importers to vary import permit conditions to reflect the change in LSD-status.

It is expected that the changes to Italy’s LSD-status will impact the import permit conditions for goods to Australia containing or derived from LSD-susceptible species sourced, manufactured or processed in Italy after 25 April 2025.

Importing goods sourced, manufactured or processed in Italy before 25 April 2025

Importers may continue to import goods containing or derived from LSD-susceptible species that were fully finished and packaged for export or exported from Italy prior to 25 April 2025 and where all other import conditions are met. Importers or brokers may need to supply evidence of the date of sourcing, manufacturing or processing before goods can be released from biosecurity control. The additional requirements may cause delays in releasing your goods from biosecurity control.

Enroute shipment of goods sourced, manufactured and processed in Italy after 25 April 2025

The goods already enroute to Australia will be assessed on a case-by-case basis upon arrival at the border.

Goods assessed as having an unacceptable level of biosecurity risk may be subject to biosecurity measures such as export, treatment or destruction.

Importers and brokers that are unsure of the status of their goods should contact [email protected] for advice before arranging for the export of any product to Australia.

Goods sourced, manufactured and processed in Italy after 25 April 2025

The 25 April 2025 cutoff date refers to the date when the LSD-susceptible species derived component of the goods was sourced, processed or manufactured in Italy.

Viable LSD virus could be introduced into the products if contamination with ingredients sourced from infected animals occurs during processing.

Accordingly, products manufactured in Italy after 25 April 2025 may not be permitted entry into Australia and may be directed for export, treatment, or destruction with the exception of composite dairy products which meet additional risk management requirements.

Clarification for composite dairy products and the 25 April 2025 cutoff

Dairy products sourced from, processed or manufactured in Italy after the 25 April 2025 cut-off date may still be permitted with additional risk management requirements.

These additional risk management requirements have been developed in line with the recommendations of the Import risk review for dairy products for human consumption – final report (the dairy review) and will require updates to import permit conditions and health certificate wording. The department will contact affected importers to vary import permit conditions to reflect these changes as required.

Products and consignments which fail to meet these additional requirements may not be permitted entry into Australia and may be directed for export, treatment, or destruction.

Dairy ingredients sourced from Italy before the cutoff

If dairy ingredients sourced from Italy were imported to another LSD-free country for processing, the importer or broker will need to be able to demonstrate that the dairy ingredients were fully finished and packaged for export or exported from Italy before 25 April 2025 and link the ingredients to a consignment. This may include evidence such as commercial documentation specifying when the dairy goods were sourced, processed and/or manufactured in Italy. An import permit is required to import these types of dairy goods.

Regionalisation agreements

Australia does not have established regionalisation agreements for imports from any country for LSD.

The Australian Government can undertake its own evaluation according to the existing policy which is outlined in Evaluation of animal health status of countries, zones and compartments for imports of animals and products of animal origin, available on our Import request page.

Chocolate and goods containing dairy

Goods containing less than 10% dairy by dry weight and solid chocolate, including imitation chocolate, for human consumption, can continue to be imported into Australia from Italy. The goods still need to meet the relevant import conditions specified on BICON.

Testing products

Testing products for LSD is not considered an acceptable alternative to sourcing, processing and manufacturing goods in countries that are approved by the department as being LSD free.een received regarding the notification of an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease in Italy.

Please click here to read the latest Trade situation in Europe.

Expected inclement Weather:

The weather in Sydney on Tuesday/Wednesday 1st-2nd July is expected to produce extremely high winds that will affect port operations.

Already Patricks Terminal have advised that all export receivals will be postponed for at least 48 hours, and it is possible other Terminals will also have slot cancellations due to the safety issues that could become hazardous. Some LCL depots in the Botany area have also indicated they could close down at any time.

The GPSM Transport Team will be closely monitoring the situation and will keep all clients affected with delayed deliveries informed as arrangements change.

Important Shipping & Customs Updates from Asia market:

1. Enhanced Battery Cargo Regulations

Due to increased incidents of battery explosions at sea, carriers are enforcing stricter controls and risk assessments for battery and hazardous material shipments. It is imperative that you notify us of any batteries that may be contained in seafreight shipments so authorities can be informed prior to quoting or shipping. These requirements also applies to airfreight cargo.

2. Intensified Chinese Customs Inspections

In response to recent trade tensions, Chinese customs authorities have significantly increased inspections on export goods. Since early June, major ports—including Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Tianjin—are experiencing heightened scrutiny. This is likely to become a routine procedure. Shipments with accurate and compliant documentation generally clear customs smoothly.

3. Vessel Space Constraints and Rising Freight Rates

Ongoing blank sailings and increased freight rates have led to limited vessel space, some weekly services to Australia from China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan have been changed to fortnightly as some of the vessels previously on the Australian trade have been moved to the Asia-USA trade as volumes exceed expectations and US importers are trying to beat the new tariffs that are being introduced by the Trump administration.

4. Anticipated Delays for Early July Shipments

Shipments originating from South China ports, particularly Shenzhen, may face cargo rolling delays exceeding two weeks due to severe space shortages. Providing shipping plans at least two weeks before the Cargo Ready Date is crucial in ensuring confirmed bookings in advance.

We will continue to monitor the market closely and update you promptly if better rates or options become available.

On 23 June 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was notified of an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Italy. The department no longer recognizes Italy as free from LSD and has removed this country from the LSD-free country list and the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues.

Impacted goods include

• Dairy, excluding lactose and chocolate, that is sourced, manufactured or exported from Italy
• Laboratory goods containing bovine fluids or tissues that list Italy as a country of origin, manufacture or export
• Laboratory goods that reference the list of countries approved for bovine fluids and tissues
• Bovine reproductive material from Italy
• Petfood, stockfeed and veterinary therapeutics containing or derived from bovine material from Italy.

The department will contact individual import permit holders shortly to advise them on ongoing arrangements for their import permits.

For goods that are currently in transit to Australia, the department will assess these goods on a case-by-case basis, and if the biosecurity risk can be effectively managed, the goods can be released.

If you experience clearance issues, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

This is disappointing news for importers of dairy and bovine products from Italy, especially following recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia. Although Germany has since regained its FMD-free status, these incidents underscore the vulnerability of global food and biological supply chains and reinforce the critical importance of Australia’s strong biosecurity framework.

Please click Here to view IIAN 207-2025 in its entirety.

Germany Regains FMD-Free Status: Import Conditions Updated

As of 14 April 2025, Germany has been reinstated as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), following a successful containment of an outbreak in January 2025 . Consequently, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has updated its import conditions to reflect this change.

Key Dates and Import Guidelines

• Pre-14 November 2024: Goods containing or derived from FMD-susceptible species that were fully finished and/or exported from Germany before this date are eligible for import, provided all other conditions are met.
• 14 November 2024 – 14 April 2025: Imports of such goods sourced from and/or manufactured in Germany during this period remain restricted unless alternative risk management measures are in place.
• Post-14 April 2025: Goods sourced from and/or manufactured in Germany on or after this date may be imported, subject to compliance with all other import conditions.

Importers should consult their biosecurity import permits or refer to the Biosecurity (Conditionally Non-Prohibited Goods) Determination 2021 for specific import conditions.

Documentation Requirements

Biosecurity import permits will specify any evidence required to demonstrate compliance with the above conditions. Importers must ensure all documentation accurately reflects the sourcing and manufacturing dates of the goods in question.

Following recent discussions with our logistics partners, we would like to share some important updates regarding shipping schedules and capacity issues expected in the coming months. We encourage you to plan ahead and make early bookings wherever possible to avoid delays.

Reduced Capacity on AUNZ Routes

Due to ongoing high demand on US-bound routes, many carriers have significantly reduced or withdrawn capacity from other routes, including the Australia–New Zealand (AUNZ) lanes. This is particularly affecting services such as CAT/CA2, typically operated by carriers like YML, PIL, SLS, SNL, and TSL.

There will be a service gap in the second half of June for these routes.

Typhoon Season Alert: Mid-June to August

Please be aware that typhoon season along the Chinese coast is expected to impact shipping operations from mid-June through to the end of August. Delays and sailing schedule changes are more likely during this time due to weather-related disruptions.

• Fast Services: OOCL, COSCO, ANL, MSC, MAERSK (MSK)
• Standard/Slow Services: Available for more flexible delivery windows

Each shipment will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the best routing and delivery time.

Equipment Availability Update

The recent shortage of equipment from MAERSK (MSK) in Southern China has eased, and availability is improving.

Caution: Several low-cost transit services operated by MSK have entered the market. While attractive in price, these options suffer from unstable transit times, frequent rollovers, and are not covered under MSK’s contractual service terms. We recommend avoiding these services unless necessary.

What You Should Do

• Book shipments for the second half of June as early as possible
• Work closely with your CS contact to select the best service option
• Be aware of potential delays during typhoon season
• Avoid low-cost transit services with high risk of rollover and delay

We’re here to support your business through this period of disruption. Please reach out to your Account Manager or Customer Service contact with any questions or specific shipment requirements.