China–Australia Logistics Weekly (26 Oct – 2 Nov 2026)
Week of 26 October 2026
The three most important things this week:
- November rate-increase wave on China–Australia lanes: OOCL, MSC, ANL and PIL are adding USD 500/TEU on North East Asia to Australia from 1 November; ANL/CMA CGM have announced a further restoration of USD 500/20' and USD 1,000/40' from 15 November. However, the SCFI Australia/New Zealand rate dipped slightly over the same period, so it remains to be seen whether the increases will stick.
- More industrial disputes at Australian ports: a two-hour stoppage at DP World Sydney, industrial action by Brisbane pilots, and a possible strike at Darwin Port as early as next week.
- Typhoon Champi briefly closed Ningbo and Shanghai ports from 23 to 25 October; schedules and space may still be affected over the next one to two weeks.
Australian customs and policy
Anti-dumping
On 23 October the Anti-Dumping Commission initiated an investigation (dumping and subsidisation) into glass wool insulation from China and Malaysia; the investigation period is 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Anti-dumping
Preliminary affirmative determination on aluminium windows and doors from China (case 691); an accelerated review has been initiated for a new exporter of zinc-aluminium coated steel from China (both published in October).
Source: TRN 2026/147, TRN 2026/146
Biosecurity
A department of agriculture notice of 20 October says new import conditions for Xylella host nursery stock take effect on 20 January 2027; China is listed as a high-risk source, and testing must be done by laboratories authorised by Australia.
Source: IIAN 177-2026
System outage
Department of agriculture systems including COLS, MARS and PEBS have planned outages from 26 to 30 October.
Source: Notice 221-2026
ABF / ATO
No new Australian Customs Notice (ACN) from the ABF this week, and no new import/export-related announcements from the ATO.
Freight rates and carriers
SCFI
Composite index 3,687.35 (+6.01) on 30 October; Australia/New Zealand (Melbourne) USD 2,528/TEU, versus 2,542 the previous week.
Source: SCFI via GATH, cnfin.com
November GRI
OOCL, MSC, ANL and PIL add USD 500/TEU from 1 November; ZIM already raised rates earlier, on 15 October.
Source: C.H. Robinson, OOCL notice
ANL/CMA CGM
ANL/CMA CGM restore Asia to Australia rates from 15 November: plus USD 500 per 20' and USD 1,000 per 40'.
Source: ACA/Dachser
China port congestion
Congestion at Chinese ports has eased from about 6 days before the holiday to about 3 days, but carriers are still skipping ports to recover schedules; when booking, confirm rates and surcharges against the actual voyage.
Source: KLN November outlook
Air freight
China to Australia direct flights about USD 4.77/kg, up about 7% month on month, with direct-flight space full; the Shanghai outbound index on 26 October was +2.9% month on month and +19.2% year on year.
Source: Allwin Wk43, TAC
Market backdrop
Some analysts believe demand is flattening and the November increases may struggle to stick; about 8% of sailings worldwide are cancelled in weeks 45 to 49.
Ports and industry
Sydney
DP World Port Botany in Sydney suspended operations from 13:00 to 15:00 on 28 October for an MUA stop-work meeting.
Source: Dieterle Victory
Brisbane
Brisbane pilots have taken protected industrial action (including an overtime ban) from 28 October; DP World Brisbane has seen congestion this month.
Darwin
Darwin Port workers unanimously endorsed industrial action in a ballot on 30 October; a strike could come in about a week at the earliest.
Source: MUA
Melbourne
A strike has been under way at the Coode Island bulk liquids terminal in Melbourne since 28 October; container operations are not directly affected.
Source: DCN
Ningbo and Shanghai
During the typhoon, Ningbo port was closed from the evening of 23 October to noon on 25 October, and Shanghai from the evening of the 24th to noon on the 25th; dredging is under way at Ningbo's MSICT terminal and may cause intermittent delays. In October, Australia released voluntary guidelines on landside charges at terminals and empty container parks.
Source: Harders