Weekly Logistics News – Week of 26 Oct 2026
Week of 26 October 2026
Freight indices diverged this week: the SCFI rose for a fourth straight week while Drewry's WCI fell 3%, and analysts doubt the 1 November GRIs will stick. In Australia, landside congestion remains the main bottleneck, with a two-hour stoppage at Port Botany and ongoing delays at West Swanson, while DAFF issued several import notices as the BPL flight season began.
Burnt pine longicorn flight season starts 1 November
DAFF notice 186-2026 (30 Oct) confirms the 2026-27 BPL flight season begins on 1 November. Importers of timber and timber products should check the applicable treatment requirements.
Source: DAFF
Class 14.3 approved arrangement proof of concept expands
DAFF notice 184-2026 (29 Oct) says the Class 14.3 AA proof of concept will be expanded in November; brokers should watch for further details.
Source: DAFF
Two Turkish treatment providers suspended
On 26 Oct DAFF suspended Turkish treatment providers TR4001SB and TR4003SB; treatment certificates they issue will not be accepted.
Source: DAFF
BMSB season measures remain in force
Target goods shipped from target risk countries between 1 Sep 2026 and 30 Apr 2027 are subject to BMSB seasonal measures. China is an emerging risk country, with target goods subject to random inspection.
Source: DAFF
Drewry WCI down 3% to $4,429 per FEU
The 29 Oct WCI fell 3%. Shanghai–Los Angeles dropped 6% to $7,514 while Shanghai–Rotterdam rose 1% to $3,686.
Source: Drewry
Analysts say November rate hikes are doomed
The Loadstar (30 Oct) reports transpacific GRIs of $2,000–3,000 per FEU from 1 November, plus Asia–Europe FAK targets from MSC and CMA CGM, but flat demand makes them unlikely to hold.
Source: The Loadstar
56 blank sailings expected in weeks 45–49
Drewry (30 Oct) expects 56 cancelled East–West sailings over the five weeks, 8% of scheduled departures.
Source: Drewry
Maersk 'no SI, no load' for Australian exports from 2 November
Maersk will phase in the policy from 2 November, with full enforcement from 30 November (reported 12 Oct).
Source: Magellan Logistics
Port Botany stoppage and West Swanson congestion
DP World Sydney halted all operations 13:00–15:00 on 28 Oct for an authorised MUA stop-work meeting. In Melbourne, West Swanson truck turnarounds ran 2–3 hours (up to 7) around 20 Oct, with works cutting yard capacity by about 1,100 TEU; DP World extended free time for affected boxes.
Patrick upgrades landside systems; Suez transits rise
Patrick's OptiBook goes live at Sydney AutoStrad on 28 November alongside a new Patrick Connect driver app (DCN, 30 Oct). Separately, Drewry reports 62 Suez Canal transits last week, the highest weekly total this year.
Source: DCN