Ocean freight continues to play a major role in how Australian businesses move goods across the world. As we move through 2025, importers in Melbourne and beyond are dealing with a mix of ongoing risks and new opportunities. At Raw Global, we help importers navigate these changes and keep their supply chains on track.
This ocean freight market update outlines what importers need to know about freight rates, port congestion, global disruptions, capacity, and new regulations that are shaping the year ahead. If you’re planning shipments in 2025, now is the time to get prepared.
Rates Are Settling but Still Uncertain
After several years of major disruptions and record-high shipping costs, ocean freight rates have begun to settle in 2025. However, stability does not mean predictability. Prices continue to shift depending on the season, port congestion, fuel surcharges, and broader economic conditions. For importers shipping from Asia to Australia, particularly to Melbourne, rate increases are still likely during peak shipping periods such as pre-Christmas and post-Lunar New Year.
Carriers are also adjusting how they manage their fleets. Instead of flooding the market with space, they’re controlling vessel availability to maintain pricing power. This means space is tighter than it looks on paper, and those without forward planning may find themselves scrambling to secure last-minute bookings at a higher cost. This shift in behaviour is a key trend in the 2025 ocean freight market update, and one we’re actively helping importers respond to.
Port Delays Still a Concern
While the worst of global port congestion has eased, delays remain a real issue across several key shipping regions. Ports in the United States, India, and some parts of Europe are still facing backlogs due to high container volumes, labour shortages, and limited infrastructure capacity. Even if your cargo isn’t destined for these areas, delays in transhipment ports can have a knock-on effect, adding days or even weeks to total transit time.
For Melbourne-based importers, this means being extra cautious when setting delivery expectations, especially if your goods are routed through major Asian hubs or international transhipment points. Even small disruptions in these locations can ripple across your supply chain.
Our team actively monitors port performance and global shipping movements. If we see risk emerging on a route, we work with importers to reroute shipments or adjust schedules to avoid major hold-ups. In 2025, flexibility is as important as planning. Building extra time into your shipping windows and choosing a freight partner who can pivot quickly will make all the difference.
Global Events Causing Disruptions
Political tensions and climate events are continuing to disrupt the global freight market. Ongoing instability in the Red Sea and drought-related restrictions at the Panama Canal are placing extra pressure on transit times, vessel capacity, and routing decisions. Extreme weather across key shipping regions is also causing sudden delays, which impact delivery reliability for Australian importers. In today’s ocean freight market, flexibility and timely updates are more important than ever. We work closely with our clients to adjust shipping plans quickly when the unexpected happens.
Equipment and Space Are Still Tight
Although vessel capacity has improved slightly in 2025, equipment imbalances remain a challenge across the freight market. Containers are often not available where importers need them, leading to higher repositioning costs and booking delays. For those moving freight to or from Melbourne, these issues can quickly affect shipping schedules and supply chain planning. We recommend securing space and containers as early as possible to reduce risks. Our team is available to assist with booking, planning, and resolving equipment-related issues across all trade routes.
Stricter Rules on Emissions
New international environmental standards are reshaping the ocean freight market in 2025. Carriers are operating at reduced speeds, switching to cleaner fuels, and introducing new surcharges to meet emission targets. While these changes support sustainability goals, they may also result in longer transit times and higher costs for importers. If your business is navigating new compliance requirements or aiming to lower its carbon footprint, we can help you review your freight setup and choose smarter shipping options.
What This Means for Importers
The 2025 ocean freight market is more stable than before but still carries risks. Rates, delays, and supply chain pressures are all part of the landscape. With good planning and the right support, importers can stay ahead and avoid major disruptions.
If you need help with your 2025 freight plans, speak with us about your shipping goals and challenges.
Planning your 2025 imports? Contact Raw Global for expert advice and competitive quotes. We understand the pressure importers face when timelines shift, costs rise, or unexpected delays occur. Our team takes the time to understand your operations and offers straightforward solutions to keep your freight moving reliably, no matter what the market throws your way.
Learn more about how we support Australian importers on our Ocean Freight page.
