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 […]
The recent escalation of conflict involving Iran has created significant disruption in global shipping. With the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing security risks in the Red Sea, shipping lines are rapidly adjusting their operations—and their pricing structures. For importers, this means a growing list of surcharges appearing on freight invoices. These […]
Back in 2023 we wrote about the gradual shift toward electric trucks and the role they could play in reducing emissions across Australia’s freight sector. At the time, the discussion was largely framed around environmental goals and the slow pace of government policy. Today, the conversation has taken on a new urgency. The recent escalation […]
The escalation of hostilities between the United States and Israel and Iran in late February has sent immediate shockwaves through global supply chains. Military operations—reported under the name Operation Epic Fury—have transformed already fragile trade lanes into high-risk corridors almost overnight. For Australian importers and exporters, the practical consequences are already unfolding across both sea […]
When people think of container shipping in Australia, the focus naturally falls on the major capital city ports—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle. Yet beyond these hubs sits a network of highly capable regional ports that quietly keep industries moving, communities supplied and export supply chains flowing. At Colless Young, we manage container movements through every […]
What if you could see your cargo’s exact location, temperature and condition at any moment — not just when it reaches a port or airport checkpoint? For decades, international freight has operated with limited visibility between milestones. Today, the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing that, turning global logistics into a transparent, data-driven and proactive […]
For our many clients who trade with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, please note the dates of the Chinese New Year holidays. The Chinese New Year (CNY), also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the most important holiday periods in global logistics. For businesses, it can present specific challenges due to factory […]
We sometimes get asked by exporting clients if we can arrange to have their airfreight stowed in a part of the aircraft hold that is not so susceptible to temperature fluctuations, or where it will not be subject to a lot of movement. The reality is that there should be no corner-cutting if your goods […]
When an importer’s landed costings keep increasing, there are only two choices: pass the increases on to your end customer by imposing price hikes, or try to absorb them and allow these costs to erode your profits. Last year, stevedoring profits rose for the fifth year in a row, reaching historical highs across most metrics […]
