Import Ocean Rates from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan:
It was great to see some rate relief at long last from above countries into Australia, some substantial rate reductions have been applied by shipping lines effective from 1st December, 2024. We are hopeful that trend will continue but as has been the case in recent years, there may be a final rate spike to come prior to Chinese New Year which this year falls earlier than normal in late January, 2025.
All the new rates have been added to GPSM rates module and we will naturally keep everyone further updated as soon as we have any further rate news.
Container Terminals Announce Increased costs:
The container terminal operators in Australia, D P World, Patrick, and VICT have announced numerous charges increase from 1st January, 2025.
Below is commentary that DP World and other industry sources issued when advising of the increased costs, seen as justification for the terminals to go ahead despite many Australia companies already being in financial hardship.
Further details on the terminals Investment Program and cost increases are stated below:
- 7% increase in Workforce costs under Bargaining agreement from February 2025
- 6 % + increases across Electricity and Security costs in 2025
- 21 % + increases across Insurance costs in 2025
- CPI % + increases across Property and Property related and maintenance costs
- $ 900 M Capex program over the next 3 year focusing on productivity improvements for landside operators to deliver a higher level of service and efficiency through faster turn time for rail and road.
Patrick’s:
- Terminal Access Charges (Imports): +9.5%
- Terminal Access Charges (Exports): +3.5%
- VBS and ancillary fees: Increase of 0%-7.77%
DP World:
- Terminal Access Charges: +10%
- Vehicle Booking Service and ancillary fees: Increase of 10%-25%
VICT:
- Terminal Access Charges: +4.18%
- VBS and ancillary fees: Increase of 0%-20%
GPSM are working through all the cost increases, they not only relate to access and infrastructure fees, there are also steep increases in many fees that trucking companies pay for bulk load out runs, empty container returns to port terminals, annual subscriptions to the various booking systems, energy surcharges and other incidental costs that GPSM absorb.
GPSM costs from 1st January 2025 will increase in line with the above announcements, all charges will be updated in or rates module and kindly note that the costs vary from port to port.
LCL Container Depots Booking Fees:
LCL Unpack Depots have announced they will increase the LCL booking fees to $ 45.00 per shipment effective from 1st January 2025. We regret we will need to pass on these out of pocket cost increases to all clients.
Port Charges/Documentation Fees:
Numerous lines have announced they will be increasing Australian Port Charges from 1st January 2025, increases vary up to $ 15.00/container depending on the line involved.
Shipping Line Documentation Fees are also due to increase from many lines from 1st January, 2025, the costs vary a little from line to line but most lines will now charge + $ 150.00 for this fee.
New Zealand
The same situation exists in New Zealand with shipping line documentation fee increasing to + NZD150 per bill of lading.
Disruptions to Auckland Rail
KiwiRail regarding their announced rail closure in Auckland over the upcoming Summer period. The closure will be in place from the 27th December 2024 to the 27th January 2025, and KiwiRail will be moving import / export containers between Tauranga and Auckland Metroport via a mixture of rail and road services.
KiwiRail are not applying any additional charges for this road-bridging service, however we believe that a backlog is likely to occur over this time due to the volumes between these ports, resulting in delays on containers and ongoing congestion into February.