Selected port, shipping and trade updates, with practical notes for Australian importers from our Sydney team.
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China · Ocean and air freight
Post-holiday freight planning: check departures and air cargo space
Maersk’s October Asia Pacific update reports sailing changes on selected trades and improving operations at weather-affected Asian ports, with some schedules still settling. It also notes that air cargo availability varies by route as export activity resumes after China’s National Day holiday. These are regional observations, rather than a forecast for every China–Australia shipment.
WSLogistics planning note
Reconfirm your supplier’s packed cargo-ready date, the available departure and any connections before booking. For urgent air freight, share the origin airport, dimensions, weight and required delivery date so routing and space can be checked for your shipment.
Port of Melbourne reports that upgraded facilities at Appleton Dock now connect mineral cargo arriving by rail with outbound vessels. Its announcement records the first departure using this route on 28 September. The development concerns bulk cargo handling and rail connections at the port.
WSLogistics planning note
Infrastructure announcements help explain how cargo moves through a port. For a container import, ask about the specific terminal, collection arrangements and onward delivery; this bulk export update does not establish a change to your container schedule.
China’s October holiday has ended: reconfirm cargo readiness
China’s government news site recorded the 2026 National Day holiday as 1–7 October, following the Mid-Autumn break on 25–27 September. Both holiday periods have now ended. Individual supplier and origin service-provider availability still needs to be checked directly.
WSLogistics planning note
Ask your supplier to reconfirm packed cargo readiness and collection availability after reopening. Check the current booking cut-off before agreeing to a departure; the national holiday calendar does not establish an individual port, warehouse or carrier’s operating schedule.
Qilin rotation change starts with the 9 October Shanghai call
Maersk’s Qilin advisory covers ten southbound sailings, 641S–650S, starting with GSL ELIZABETH’s scheduled Shanghai call on 9 October. The temporary rotation adds Hong Kong and alternates Melbourne and Sydney calls, with connections through the Qilin and Dragon services where needed. The carrier attributes the change to Shanghai-area vessel waits and weather disruption.
WSLogistics planning note
If your booking uses Qilin, confirm the vessel and voyage, whether your Australian port is a direct call, and any Hong Kong connection. Treat the advisory’s dates as scheduled estimates and reconfirm arrival and delivery arrangements for your specific cargo.
Melbourne’s annual container volumes reach a new high
Port of Melbourne’s annual trade review records 3.52 million TEU for July 2025–June 2026. The port also reports growth in industrial and construction-related imports. These figures describe a completed financial year, rather than conditions for an individual sailing today.
WSLogistics planning note
Use trade reports as market context. For a booking decision, compare the current service scope, available departures, destination handling and delivery costs for your own cargo.
Our summaries reflect the linked sources on the review date. Updates are selected manually. Confirm current carrier, terminal and supplier arrangements for your shipment.
How does an update affect your shipment?
Share your cargo-ready date, origin and Australian delivery location. Our team can discuss the next steps in English or Mandarin.