Stay updated with ICE’s latest Freight & Trade Briefing — covering the critical shifts in Australian and global logistics as we move through February 2026.

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AUSTRALIA

OOCL launches Brisbane–Fremantle rail and sea coastal service

OOCL will launch a new Brisbane–Fremantle coastal service from next month, using a rail and sea combination to deliver a 14-day transit time. Containers will move by rail from Bromelton to Port Botany, then by sea to Fremantle, with flexible delivery options including terminal pick-up or rail onward to ICD Forrestfield under a single through Bill of Lading. The service offers Queensland shippers a reliable east–west option, particularly attractive during expected road congestion in Fremantle linked to upcoming bridge works.

Australia and EU set to ink a landmark free trade agreement

Australia and the European Union are on the verge of finalizing a landmark free trade agreement following years of stalled negotiations, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and EU President Ursula von der Leyen expected to sign the deal within weeks. The comprehensive deal significantly reduces or eliminates tariffs on a wide range of agricultural products including beef, dairy, and sugar, while establishing a strategic partnership focused on securing critical mineral supply chains and accelerating the green energy transition. In exchange for this increased market access, Australia has agreed to protect European geographical indications, meaning local producers will phase out terms like “feta” and “prosecco” in favour of new Australian branding, marking a transformative shift in both the nation’s trade diversity and its long-term economic security.

MSC Launches Direct ANZ–USA East Coast Service

MSC has launched its enhanced standalone Eagle Service, creating a direct weekly link between Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. East Coast via the Panama Canal. The service officially commenced in February 2026, with the 2,556-TEU vessel Etoile marking the inaugural call at Melbourne’s VICT terminal on 3 February. The rotation deploys 11 vessels and connects Melbourne with key international hubs including Philadelphia, Savannah and Freeport, alongside port calls in Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane.

A-triple roadtrain trial boosts port-side efficiency in Brisbane

A high-productivity A-triple roadtrain combination has successfully completed a trial operating in and around the Port of Brisbane, moving up to six 20-foot containers in a single trip. The trial demonstrated reduced truck movements, lower congestion, and improved carbon efficiency, highlighting how larger vehicle combinations could enhance landside productivity at major Australian ports when supported by appropriate infrastructure and regulatory approvals.

World’s Largest Battery-Electric Ferry Begins Sea Trial

This record-breaking vessel is capable of carrying 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles, and it even features a 2,300-square-meter duty-free shop, the largest of its kind on any ferry. Built for the South American operator Buquebus, the China Zorrilla is scheduled to be transported to the Rio de la Plata in March 2026 to provide a zero-emission link between Argentina and Uruguay. This project represents a major milestone for Tasmanian manufacturing and serves as a global proof of concept that large-scale, high-speed commercial shipping can successfully transition to fully electric power.

West Gate Tunnel Tolls Squeeze Port Operators

Rising tolls on Melbourne’s newly opened West Gate Tunnel are placing growing financial pressure on container and freight operators, with heavy vehicles facing around $20 one-way charges that are difficult to avoid due to inner-west no-truck zones pushing traffic onto the tolled route. Many customers are pushing back or threatening to move their business as costs rise, while already-tight margins on empty container runs are further squeezed. Operators are also dealing with added administrative complexity around toll concessions, and any modest travel time savings are widely seen as failing to offset the higher costs. Criticism continues that the tolls are discouraging use of the tunnel and pushing drivers back onto surface roads, though some local advocates believe traffic patterns may gradually adjust as drivers become more familiar with the new infrastructure.

$148M Mandurah Estuary Bridge Duplication Opens to Traffic in WA

A major milestone has been reached in Western Australia with a $148.8 million duplication of the Mandurah Estuary Bridge now open to westbound traffic, marking significant progress in improving a key freight and commuter route. The upgraded structure will help ease congestion and improve safety for the more than 33,000 vehicles that use the crossing daily, with work to fully complete the project — including pedestrian and cycling paths and noise walls — continuing through March 2026.

Proposed Fuel Tax Changes Put Trucking Costs in Focus

Industry groups are warning that changes to Australia’s road-user fuel tax could have wide ripple effects across freight costs, consumer prices and supply chain efficiency. The debate centres on whether heavy vehicles are paying their fair share for road use, with proposals to reform fuel excise or introduce new road-user charging models. While reform could improve long-term infrastructure funding and fairness, industry bodies caution that poorly designed changes may drive up transport costs, flow through to higher prices for goods, and add pressure to already stretched logistics operators—making this an issue that ultimately affects all Australian importers, exporters and consumers.

GLOBE

New Eco-Friendly dual fuel “Mega-Ship”

The Turkish LPG giant Aygaz has officially commissioned South Korea’s HD Hyundai Samho to build a massive, 52,000-ton gas carrier. Scheduled for delivery in early 2028, this “Very Large Gas Carrier” (VLGC) features a massive 93,000-cubic-meter capacity and utilises advanced dual-fuel technology. This allows the ship to run on either traditional fuel oil or cleaner-burning LPG, a move intended to slash carbon emissions and boost operational efficiency. Once completed, the vessel will join Aygaz’s existing fleet of four ships, further strengthening its status as Turkey’s only fully integrated LPG operator. By controlling everything from the initial procurement and sea transport to the final sale of gas products, Aygaz is positioning itself as a more sustainable player in the global energy market.

“AI-based” planning demo launched in Japan

A pilot project launched in November 2025 at Kobe Port is testing AI-generated forecasts for container pick-up dates, allocation, and cargo handling to improve terminal efficiency. Led by Mitsui E&S, Mitsui-Soko, and Hitachi under Japan’s Port Technology Development Program, the trial uses Hitachi’s AI models validated through simulation to support planning decisions that have traditionally relied on human expertise.

Chittagong Port Strike Paused as Container Movements Resume

Bangladesh’s busiest seaport at Chittagong has finally started moving containers again after workers and employees suspended an indefinite strike that had brought cargo handling to a near standstill. The walkout, triggered by protests against the proposed lease of the New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign operator, had caused significant backlogs of import and export boxes and halted operations at key terminals. Following talks and the government’s commitment not to finalise the deal during its interim period, port staff agreed to pause the action until mid-February, allowing vessels to discharge and pick up cargo and easing pressure on the supply chain.

Startup is bringing ‘Flying Container’ concept closer to reality

The future is here: new high-speed foil container concept – Could express coastal shipping reshape port-to-port container flows? A Franco-Swiss startup has moved its foil-borne container platform into a detailed techno-economic assessment phase with a major global shipping and terminal operator. The study will compare its 20-m hydrofoil platform, capable of carrying one 40ft container at around 25 knots, against conventional feeder vessels and long-haul trucking across real operating scenarios. The concept targets the bottleneck between major hubs and secondary ports, where cargo is typically shifted by slower feeder ships or congested road networks. These high-speed units are positioned as an “express” coastal solution that could reduce congestion, lower emissions by up to 30–40%, and reconnect smaller ports into mainstream container flows.

Happy Lunar New Year!

In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, progress and momentum in Chinese culture. Associated with hard work, independence and forward movement, it’s a fitting theme for global trade and a reminder of the importance of agility, strong partnerships and planning ahead in the year to come.

We would like to wish all our clients and partners a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year. Thank you for your continued trust. We look forward to working closely with you and supporting your supply chains in the year ahead.PlayHappy Lunar New Year from ICE!