Industry Update – January 2025

Attention: Shipping Manager

 

Situation in US:

• January strike at US East Coast

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have, reportedly, held a “secret meeting” over the weekend to try and find some common ground over the issue of automation.
A document produced from the meeting showed an ILA demand to reserve the right to add human roles to accompany automation technology. However, the document also quoted a USMX member as saying if automation technology must be complemented by union workers, then the tentative 62% wage increase offered in October to end the first strike should be off the table.
A failure to reach an agreement could lead to strikes that would disrupt operations at major U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports.
The current master contract expires on 15 January, marking a countdown to an increasingly likely US East and Gulf coast strike.

(Source: Loadstar)

 

Situation in Asia

• Indian Port Strike Threat Ends

Fears of a strike set to hit Indian government ports have ended as a new five-year labour agreement is finally approved and the labour tension at the major gateways has eased. The 12 major port authorities have now been instructed to implement the updated BWNC contract.
Union leaders are expected to make an official announcement in the coming days regarding the strike notice withdrawal.

(Source: Loadstar)

 

General Rate Increase from North East Asia to Australia and New Zealand:

We received notifications this month from a number of shipping lines in regards to two separate General Rate Increases from North East Asia to Australia and New Zealand, details as follows:

The first GRI will come into effect from 1^st January 2025:

USD 500/20’

USD 1000/40’

LCL will increase accordingly.

 

Destination Port Infrastructure Increases:

Destination Port Infrastructure surcharge has increased for Sydney and Brisbane effective immediately. Updated surcharges are given below:

Sydney Destination Port Infrastructure surcharge = AUD 250 per container

Brisbane Destination Port Infrastructure surcharge = AUD 290 per container

 

Destination Empty Container Park Increases:

Destination Empty Container Park surcharge has increased for Sydney and Brisbane effective immediately. Updated surcharges are given below:

Sydney Empty Container Park surcharge = AUD 260 per container

Brisbane Empty Container Park surcharge = AUD 171 per container

 

Destination Timeslot Booking Fee Increases:

Destination Timeslot Booking fee has increased for Sydney and Brisbane effective immediately. Updated surcharges are given below:

Sydney Timeslot Booking Fee = AUD 95 per container

Brisbane Timeslot Booking Fee = AUD 75 per container

 

Adelaide Admin Booking Fee Introduction:

Effective 1^st January 2025, there will be an introduction of an AUD 20 Admin Booking Fee in Adelaide.

 

We will keep you updated with any further information.