Ocean Market Update
Golden Week Brings Sailing Schedule Adjustments Across Major Trades
As China’s Golden Week holiday approaches, customers may see adjustments to sailing schedules across some East–West trades during the holiday period and into October. As production and cargo flows normalize after the holiday, staying updated on planned departures remains important for shipment planning.
For customers, the key consideration is how these adjustments may affect departure options as manufacturing activity resumes after the holiday. Reduced sailing frequency in selected weeks may mean wider gaps between departures and fewer departure options. Customers with time-sensitive cargo may benefit from reviewing updated sailing schedules, planning bookings early and keeping flexibility across departure dates or services.
Asia–Europe Network Developments Bring New Planning Considerations
Maersk has announced further adjustments to the Gemini network, with four additional services transitioning to routing via the Suez Canal rather than around the Cape of Good Hope. The changes are expected to support more efficient transit times between Asia and Europe, with implementation taking place across individual services and voyages.
As changes are introduced, customers are encouraged to review updated sailing schedules and check for any changes to planned departure and arrival dates, so they can adjust delivery plans accordingly.
Port Operations Recover as Schedules Continue to Normalize
Operations across major ports in Asia affected by recent seasonal weather continue to recover, with terminal productivity improving and vessel waiting times gradually improving at most affected ports. A further typhoon that passed through the region in late September did not cause significant additional disruption. As vessels move through the network, schedules may take some time to fully normalize, and later sailings may still see some variation in timing.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as further information becomes available. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Maersk representative for shipment-specific support if needed.
Air Freight Market Update
Shifting Air Freight Flows Create Varied Conditions by Trade Lane
As Q4 begins, air freight networks across Asia Pacific are being reshaped. Fewer connections through parts of the Middle East have shifted some cargo flows towards alternative routings, while origins in South Asia have picked up additional volumes. As a result, space availability and transit times can differ considerably from one origin and trade lane to another.
Consumer demand has remained moderate, while technology-related shipments continuing to support demand on selected lanes, particularly from China and North Asia to the US.
For customers, this makes lane-level visibility increasingly important. Sharing shipment forecasts early and reviewing routing options with logistics partners can help secure suitable space and protect delivery timelines for time-sensitive cargo as Q4 progresses.
Post-Golden Week Demand and November Planning Considerations
As China’s Golden Week holiday comes to an end, attention is turning to the pace at which export volumes return. Air cargo volumes typically decline during holiday periods before returing to normal levels as manufacturing and export activity resumes. Pre-holiday congestion is expected to ease, although a post-holiday increase in air cargo volumes could result in busier operating conditions on selected routes.
Looking ahead, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen on 18–19 November may lead to some operational adjustments for air cargo in South China. Alternative gateways such as Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hong Kong remain available routing options, although the extent of any operational impact is not yet clear. Customers with time-sensitive shipments are encouraged to discuss anticipated requirementsearly and work with logistics partners to review routing options.
Inland Market Update
Multimodal Options Expand Across the Mekong Region
Inland logistics networks across the Mekong region continue to develop as new terminals, depots and multimodal connections bring cargo handling closer to manufacturing locations and provide more options for connecting to major gateways.
In Vietnam, expanding barge and inland container depot (ICD) networks are supporting combined barge and truck solutions. New corridors around Tay Ninh, Cat Lai and Cai Mep are strengthening connections in the south, while inland links in northern Vietnam provide alternatives to direct trucking.
In Thailand, Maersk's new Laem Chabang depot, located close to the port, supports services including direct stuffing, reefer equipment maintenance and repair, and drop-and-pull operations. In Cambodia, a rail container yard hub connecting Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville is under development.
Cross-border flows are also evolving. Cambodia–Vietnam movements via Bavet–Moc Bai remain an important corridor, while Laos is playing a greater role as a transit route for regional cargo. With increased scrutiny around cargo origin and transshipment, customs planning and documentation are also becoming increasingly important for cross-border shipments.
Malaysia’s Connectivity Supports a More Integrated ASEAN Network
Improving connectivity at both ends of Malaysia is creating opportunities for a more integrated landside network across ASEAN. In the south, the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone encourages businesses to view Johor and Singapore as one complementary supply-chain ecosystem, combining southern Malaysia's manufacturing, warehousing and distribution base with Singapore's international ocean and air connectivity. Integrated solutions spanning cross-border trucking, customs brokerage, bonded transport and distribution can help businesses make the most of this link.
In the north, stronger road and rail connections are creating additional options for linking Thailand's manufacturing base with northern Malaysia and onward gateways. Together, these corridors strengthen Malaysia's role as a logistics bridge between Thailand, Singapore and the wider ASEAN region, giving businesses greater routing choice across road, rail and international gateways.
What This Means for Customers
Expanding inland and cross-border connectivity across Southeast Asia is creating more options for connecting manufacturing locations with regional and international gateways. Considering road, rail, barge and multimodal solutions can help businesses balance cost, transit time and emissions requirements while building greater supply-chain resilience. As border congestion, customs processes and fuel costs continue to influence cross-border movements, early planning remains important when selecting inland routes.
Trade Environment Update
China Trade Changes Bring New Cost and Documentation Considerations
Two regulatory developments are creating new considerations for businesses managing battery products and electronic trade documentation.
Revised consumption tax rules now apply to selected battery products, with corresponding customs commodity codes published for declaration purposes. Certain categories, including sodium-ion, solid-state and fuel cell batteries, are exempt from the tax until December 2028, subject to relevant national standards and a qualified test report obtained before the first exemption filing. Lithium-ion batteries are not eligible for the exemption.
Separately, amendments to China's Maritime Code have established legal recognition and requirements for electronic transport records, including bills of lading, waybills, warehouse receipts and multimodal transport documents. Businesses using electronic records will need to ensure that documentation is complete and accurate, readily retrievable for inspection, identifies the issuer and enables verification of the holder's identity. Meeting these requirements may involve investment in IT systems, staff training and compliance checks, so allowing sufficient setup time can help avoid errors or delays.
Vessel Waiting time indicator:
| Trade | Less than 1 day | 1-3 days | More than 3 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Asia Ports | Less than 1 day Dalian, Xingang, Xiamen, Laem Chabang, Vung Tau, Haiphong, Jakarta, Semarang, Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne, Tauranga, Tanjung Pelepas | 1-3 days Busan, Qingdao, Yantian, Shekou, Nansha, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh, Port Klang, Chittagong, Manila | More than 3 days Shanghai, Ningbo |
| Trade Rest of World | Less than 1 day Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Valencia, Koper, Rijeka, Apapa, Onne, Lome, Zanzibar, Conakry, Pointe Noire, Port Louis, Cape Town, Maputo, Oakland, Los Angeles, Prince Rupert, Tacoma, Houston, Norfolk, Baltimore, Savannah, Charleston, Miami, Newark, Balboa, Lazaro Cardenas | 1-3 days Dar es Salaam, Vancouver, Colombo | More than 3 days Durban, Beira, Jeddah, Khor Fakkan, Tema, Abidjan |
Remark: Above information is correct to the best of our information at the date of publication, remains dynamic and subject to change.
Resources and Tools to Support You
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