Source: DCN
Date: 2nd July 2025

Heavy rain, damaging winds, and surf conditions disrupt freight and shipping operations, causing delays and additional costs.

The shipping and logistics sector is facing significant disruptions due to severe weather, with heavy rain and damaging winds impacting operations since Monday night. Forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology have predicted powerful surf conditions and high winds, further affecting vessel movements. To manage the conditions, terminals have adjusted their operations, including lowering empty stack heights and securing ship-to-shore cranes. Several vessels, such as the CMA CGM Semarang and Maersk Rio Blanc, have departed ahead of the storm as planned.

Freight and shipping operations have already been affected, with terminal closures and reduced container stacking in place. The severe weather has led to delays in de-hiring import empties and picking up export containers, which could result in additional charges from shipping lines for late returns. Exporters are also experiencing delays in meeting export cut-off deadlines, causing strain in the supply chain. Some scheduled vessel arrivals have been postponed, and exporters of refrigerated containers are facing difficulties finding available plug-in points to maintain temperature integrity.

The ongoing weather conditions continue to create hazards on the roads, with high winds potentially making some routes inaccessible. As freight delays persist, the sector is working to manage the flow of goods while mitigating additional costs for transport operators and exporters. Stakeholders across the logistics network are advised to monitor the situation closely and adapt to the changing conditions.