Navia Freight's September 2026 update puts Shanghai to Australia at about USD 2,432 per TEU, with the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index for Australia/New Zealand at USD 2,315 per TEU and Drewry's World Container Index at USD 4,526 per 40ft.

Drivers include weather-related congestion at major Chinese ports, an active typhoon season, the cargo rush before Golden Week and the Mid-Autumn Festival, low water on the Panama Canal and the Rhine and Danube, and multiple blank sailings. Space from China into Oceania is expected to stay extremely tight through September, equipment is short at ports such as Ningbo, and some services have cancellation rates up to 58%. Navia advises booking at least four to five weeks ahead.

Source: Navia Freight - September 2026 Freight Market Update