|
- Plans for New Zealand's Largest Inland Port Announced. A new inland port located in central Otago has been announced, with $3 billion in private funding.
- China Inspections on Containers Increasing. Recently we have seen an increase in the number of import containers in China being inspected by Chinese Customs before being loaded onto vessels.
- Container Rates Begin to Climb from Asia and Europe. Container rate increases have come early this year with various shipping lines announcing they intend to increase rates over the next month.
- What’s the Deal with GRIs? (General Rate Increases Explained). Shipping lines love throwing around the term “GRI” – but what does it actually mean, and should you be worried?
- Ports of Auckland’s Shock Price Increase. Ports of Auckland plans to introduce a whopping 77% increase in Vehicle Booking fees for 2026.
|
|
|
Important Consideration and Reminders
|
|
- KiwiRail Block of Line Auckland - Hamilton. KiwiRail have confirmed line closures will affect rail freight services between Hamilton and Auckland during the upcoming King’s Birthday weekend from 7:00am Friday 30th May 2025 to 6:00pm Monday 2nd June 2025. The closures are required as part of Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) work programme.
- Port Health Check. Many ports across Asia are currently experiencing significant congestion, with some sailings fully booked for two weeks in advance or more. Thailand, in particular, is facing limited availability, with our preferred shipping lines already booked through until end of June.
To ensure timely shipments, we strongly recommend notifying Burnard of any upcoming orders as early as possible. This will allow us to proactively secure space and minimize potential delays.
Additionally, the tranship port of Singapore continues to face congestion, with average delays of 2–3 weeks for connecting sailings.
|
|
|
Plan for New Zealand’s Largest Inland Port Announced
|
|
|
A transformative $3 billion development has been unveiled for Otago, with the announcement of New Zealand’s largest inland port. The privately funded Milburn Quadrant project, spearheaded by Calder Stewart, is expected to significantly reduce road congestion by removing approximately 10,000 heavy truck movements from the region’s roads each year.
Strategically located on a 200-hectare site north of Milton, the future port is zoned for heavy industrial use and is expected to provide a big boost for New Zealand’s primary industries. The port will connect directly to both State Highway One and the South Island’s main rail network.
While the project is privately financed, the company is currently seeking support from the local council for planning approvals. These approvals will subsequently be presented to the government and key stakeholders in the coming weeks.
|
|
|
|
Chinese Inspections on Export Sea Freight on the Rise
|
|
|
Recently we have seen an increase in customs
inspections being conducted throughout China on sea freight exported goods.
While shipments may initially clear through local customs inspections, they
remain subject to further review by the China Customs General Administration,
often when the container is already at the port.
This intensified scrutiny appears to align with
greater international efforts and initiatives targeting counterfeit goods,
controlled substances, and dual-use commodities—items that may have
applications in security or defence.
This initiative is impacting both groupage (LCL)
containers and full containers (FCL) alike for cargo bound for New Zealand, in
some instances we are having to redirect containers back off the port and
unpack flagged shipments, resulting in considerable delays and additional
shared costs.
Recent focus is on HS codes 84/85/90
84 Boilers, Machinery, Mechanical apparatus & appliances
and parts thereof
85 Electrical Machinery, recorders, TV &Video
imaging equipment and parts/accessories
90 Optical, Photographic, Measuring, Medical
Instruments/Apparatus
In some instances, brokers are being cautioned against assisting with documents for high-risk goods due to potential legal implications. Chinese suppliers are being reminded that under Chinese law they must handle their own clearance. Even when shipping terms are under Ex Works (EXW) terms. A reminder to your suppliers/shippers to ensure they are on time and accurate with paperwork submitted to Chinese authorities to avoid delays.
|
|
Container Rates Begin to Climb from Asia and Europe
|
|
|
Recently, we have seen shipping lines MSC, ANL, OOCL and CMA-CGM provide notices of a rate increase in the form of a GRI/PSS or RR, effective 15 June.
MSC advise USD500/TEU increase for North/SE Asia to NZ increase
ANL/CMA-CGM advise USD300 per container PSS from North Europe to NZ (on the Nemo/PAD services)
OOCL advise USD300/TEU increase from Asia to NZ
Other main carriers have all advised extending of rates for the first part of June.
|
|
|
What’s the Deal with GRIs? (General Rate Increases Explained)
|
|
Shipping lines love throwing around the term “GRI” – but what does it actually mean, and should you be worried?
A General Rate Increase (GRI) is basically a heads-up from shipping lines that freight rates might
go up on a certain date. For example, they might say “we’re adding USD 500 per container from 1 June.” But don’t panic – it doesn’t mean you’ll actually pay that.
So why chuck out a high number to begin with?
Under international rules (especially for USA-bound freight), lines have to publish any potential rate hikes in advance – and they can’t raise it higher than what they’ve said. That’s why they go high early – it gives them room to lower it later if the market doesn’t bite.
Often, that scary USD 500 increase gets watered
down, dropped to USD 200, or doesn’t happen at all. It’s a bit like a “just in
case” price hike.
What to know:
- GRIs are more like warnings than done deals.
- Shipping lines are testing the waters.
- If the market’s soft, GRIs often get dropped.
- There are rules to stop surprise price jumps.
What you can do: - Stay in touch with your freight forwarder (that’s us!) for the latest updates.
- Lock in space early for big shipments when GRIs are floating around.
At Burnard International, we keep a close eye on
these market moves and work with you to avoid any nasty cost surprises. Give us
a shout if you want to chat about how GRIs might affect your freight. |
|
|
Ports of Auckland’s Shock Price Increase.
|
|
A recent Ports of Auckland (POAL) hosted meeting has signalled plans to introduce a whopping 77% increase in vehicle booking fees for 2026 – as reported in the media.
Vehicle booking fees are charged to uplift full containers and the second component is the booking cost to return empties to either port directly or other de-hire depots.
The industry was already adapting to higher fee structure introduced in Jan this year, now cargo owners will be faced with a further jump in costs.
There are several industry lobby groups engaging with the POAL and expressing concerns regarding these fee increases, especially in the economic climate. Our professional body CBAFF will be communicating our position along with those of our customers.
Whilst there has been some performance improvement at the POAL, it certainly does not warrant in our view such a jump in fees. |
|
Back to all
