Dear Customers,
2026 is promising to be a dynamic year in the shipping industry & we’re pleased to have the opportunity to continue supporting you, our valued customers, to deliver your products to market.
Here at Pro Kinetics, we are committed to continuing to provide our high standards of care, customer service & operational excellence.
Please see below, some general & specific updates on shipping market activities anticipated for Q1 2026 & beyond for your perusal.
Road Transport / Container Cartage:
The recent completion of new infrastructure projects in Melbourne, such as the West Gate Tunnel, has changed the landscape for commercial road transport in Melbourne. Particularly for our container cartage customers, wherein the vehicles delivering your containers are now restricted to a single, more costly route to-&-from the port precinct.
Nationally, the container cartage industry continues to labour under an increasing burden of 3rd party charges, levied primarily by Terminal & Empty Container Park operators – most of these operators applied meaningful increases to their tariffs for January 1st.
Pro Kinetics remains committed to providing quality cartage services & collaborating with our customers to deliver value in this critical link in the supply chain.
The Red Sea & Vessel Routings:
The industry continues to eagerly await the opening of the Red Sea trade lanes. Whilst an easing of the restrictions in this region was anticipated to take place over the Christmas & New Year period, this has not been fully realised.
Maersk is leading the charge to re-open these trade lanes – but caution remains the word of the day as Shipping Lines continue to assess the risk to their sailors, vessels & customer’s cargo.
A handful of other Shipping Lines have run trial voyages through the Red Sea – although these have typically not been advertised or promoted given their tentative nature. Most Lines continue to advertise routings to Europe & the Mediterranean via the Cape of Good Hope.
Fruit Season – Grapes & Citrus:
As these 2 major reefer export commodities approach their respective harvest seasons, we anticipate a significant tightening in the reefer container supply – particularly in the southern states where these crops are grown in abundance.
Pro Kinetics continues to cultivate strong relationships with Shipping Lines & will continue to work tirelessly to ensure your products reach their markets in a timely and economical manner.
To best manage the anticipated equipment supply issues, the earlier we can place bookings and secure releases – the simpler the execution of your shipping needs will be.
Celebrations of Global Significance:
Two of the world’s major cultural events will occur concurrently this year.
- Ramadan: Anticipated to begin on either the 17th or 18th of February, Eid al-Fitr expected on either the 19th or 20th of March in Australia.
- Chinese New Year: Will take place on the 17th of February, major celebrations to take place in communities around the world, often extending into the 1st week of March.
Please note that throughout these periods, disruptions should be anticipated at those destinations where these events are of their greatest significance.
Blank Sailings:
In response to the pressures of the Chinese New Year period, it has been customary in recent years for the Shipping Lines to apply a Peak Season Surcharge on the China / Australia trades.
However, for 2026 a different approach is emerging in the market, with several Shipping Lines choosing instead to blank a greater number of voyages rather than levying a PSS.
This will naturally constrict the capacity supply throughout the period & may lead to increased competition among exporters for the space available on the vessels that do arrive.
Consequently, vessel schedule integrity is likely to decline throughout the period.
Please do not hesitate to contact your Pro Kinetics representative if you have any questions or require further information.
Sincerely,
The Pro Kinetics Team
