When Australian businesses think about importing from China, or exporting into the Chinese market, there is one gateway that matters more than any other: Shanghai. For 16 consecutive years, the Port of Shanghai has held the title of the world’s largest container port. In 2025 alone, it handled more than 55 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent […]
Shipping disruptions are no longer something happening “somewhere else.” For many Australian exporters, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already translating into higher freight costs, reduced shipping capacity, insurance uncertainty, and difficult decisions about how—and even whether—to move cargo to overseas markets. Against this backdrop, the Australian Government has launched a new initiative […]
For many years, cargo theft meant criminals cutting locks, breaking into warehouses, or hijacking trucks. Today, however, the greatest threat to your shipment may arrive not at the warehouse gate—but in your inbox. Cyber-enabled cargo theft is now one of the fastest-growing risks facing the international logistics industry. Criminal groups are increasingly using phishing emails, […]
When calculating the landed cost of your imports, it’s easy to focus on the obvious—freight rates, duties, and taxes. But in today’s volatile global environment, there’s another category quietly adding to your costs: insurance. Often overlooked, these “hidden” expenses can significantly impact your bottom line—and, more importantly, your risk exposure. Modern supply chains are layered […]
As the International Energy Agency has observed, the current oil crisis is accelerating the global shift toward clean energy—and Australia is right at the forefront of that transition. For importers, this is not just a policy shift or environmental story; it is a logistics story. Demand for solar panels, storage batteries, wind turbine components and […]
The Importance of Correct Labelling Correct labelling on cargo transported by air and sea is not merely administrative; it is a critical safety, legal, and operational imperative. Accurate labels communicate essential handling instructions, regulatory compliance, and hazard information to all handlers, ensuring the safety of personnel, vessels, aircraft, and the public, while preventing costly delays […]
For Australian importers of clothing, textiles and fashion goods, the past few years have delivered wave after wave of disruption. What began with tariff changes and pandemic-era delays has now evolved into a far more complex challenge—one that is affecting every layer of the supply chain, from raw materials to retail shelves. At the centre […]
Selecting the right packaging for an export shipment is one of the most important – and often underestimated – decisions an exporter makes. The packaging you choose affects not only how well your goods are protected, but also how smoothly they move through handling, quarantine inspections, customs clearance and international transit. Get it right, and […]
For exporters, the availability of empty containers is something often taken for granted — until suddenly, they are not there. The current conflict involving Iran is rapidly turning this background issue into a frontline challenge, intensifying what the industry calls “equipment imbalance” and placing new pressure on global supply chains. At its simplest, container imbalance […]
Twelve months ago, we wrote about the potential for renewed trade negotiations between Australia and Europe. At the time, the opportunity was clear, but the pathway remained uncertain. Now, as of March 2026, that uncertainty is rapidly giving way to reality. An Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement is in its final stages — and in […]
