Global Shipping Market Update: September 2026

China Port Operations and Vessel Schedule Recovery

As weather conditions along the East China coast continue to stabilise following the recent typhoons, operational performance at key ports including Shanghai and Ningbo has improved significantly. Terminal handling efficiency and trucking capacity have steadily recovered, supporting the gradual clearance of container accumulations and vessel backlogs that developed during the disruption period. While recovery efforts are progressing, vessel schedules are expected to normalise gradually rather than immediately returning to full, on-time reliability.

Equipment Shortages

A secondary challenge to monitor is the delayed impact of container equipment shortages. Congestion experienced at terminals during the disruption period is expected to translate into tighter equipment availability at certain ports in the weeks ahead.

Peak Season and Pre-Holiday Shipping Pressure

September and October represent a critical shipping period for China-Australia trade driven by Christmas inventory replenishment and year-end stock-building activities. This seasonal demand is further intensified by a concentration of shipments ahead of major Chinese public holidays.

This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday falls between 25-27 September, followed shortly by the National Day Golden Week holiday from 1-7 October. The limited working days between these holiday periods, combined with temporary factory closures, significantly reduce available production and shipping capacity. As a result, increased pressure on cargo bookings, equipment availability and vessel space is expected in the lead-up to the holidays.