Global shipping has never been easy—but this August, it’s about to get harder. For international exporters and freight managers alike, a perfect storm is brewing: tighter space, climbing rates, unpredictable transit windows, and customs policy shifts. If you haven’t updated your logistics plan yet, you might already be falling behind.
August marks a critical turning point in 2025 international logistics. Ocean schedules are tightening, fuel adjustments are kicking in, and tariff enforcement is rising—especially across key corridors to the US and EU. Smart shippers are already rerouting and re-negotiating terms.
Don’t wait for penalties or delays. In this article, I’ll explain the four key areas every international shipper must reassess before August, and how to adjust for the challenges ahead—whether you’re booking air, ocean, or DDP lanes.
Are Ocean Schedules Still Reliable in August 2025?
For most of 2025, ocean freight has offered relative stability—but that’s changing fast. Major carriers have begun canceling sailings, also known as “blank sailings,” to control falling rates on over-capacity lanes like Asia-US West Coast.
In August, blank sailings are expected to rise by 15%, particularly out of Ningbo, Yantian, and Qingdao. This will cause space bottlenecks and rollovers across Transpacific routes.
What Should You Do About Blank Sailings?
You need to book at least two weeks earlier than you usually would. More importantly, work with a forwarder who has multiple carrier options, not just one.
We’ve seen clients avoid delays by rerouting from Shenzhen to Haiphong via feeder service, then transferring to mainline vessels with open allocation. This multi-modal pivot saves time when main port space dries up.
Here’s a direct carrier announcement about these cancellations for your reference.
Are Port Congestion Risks Still High?
Yes—especially at Los Angeles and Rotterdam. Ports are dealing with backlogs from early summer surges and low trucking availability.
If your shipments rely on port-to-warehouse lead times under 7 days, consider shifting to smaller, underutilized entry points or using rail intermodal services post-arrival. See real-time status at MarineTraffic or consult your forwarder for current dwell times.
Are Fuel Costs and Surcharges Affecting My Quote?
Yes—and it’s getting worse. Starting August 1st, Bunker Adjustment Factors (BAFs) and Fuel Surcharges will rise 8–12% due to oil price rebounds and green compliance fees under IMO 2023 rules.
Air freight will also be affected, especially on China–USA and China–Europe corridors, where kerosene-linked surcharges are adjusted monthly.
Can You Lock Rates Before Fuel Increases?
Absolutely. Many carriers and forwarders offer rate lock contracts up to 14 days in advance. If you’re moving full containers (FCL), you can freeze both space and fuel costs with prepaid options.
Reach out now to secure August bookings before the next fuel hike. Freightos has a helpful breakdown of how surcharges affect your quote.
Should You Consider Rail or Sea-Air Options?
Yes. Rail freight via the China–Europe rail corridor offers stable rates with lower volatility than air or ocean. If you’re shipping to Central Europe or Eastern Europe, this is a strong play.
Also, the Sea-Air model—shipping from China to Dubai or Singapore by sea, then transferring by air—is gaining traction for mid-value goods needing 10–15 day delivery windows.
See the Maersk Sea-Air service for live examples.
Will DDP Shipments Face Customs Surprises in August?
Absolutely. August is not just about freight—it’s about compliance pressure. Several countries, including the US and EU, are increasing customs audits and tariff enforcement.
If your DDP shipments are not correctly declared—or if your forwarder under-declares to reduce duty—you could be liable for retroactive penalties, even if you already received the cargo.
Which Products Are Under Greater Scrutiny?
High-risk categories include:
- Apparel & Footwear
- Electronics
- Promotional Goods
- Items with Lithium Batteries
- Goods declared under HS codes with 0% duty
If you're shipping lithium battery products or relying on “duty-exempt” status, make sure your partner has pre-clearance approval.
How Can You Make Sure You’re Not Exposed?
Demand full pre-entry audit reports from your logistics provider. At GeeseCargo, we run compliance checks that simulate customs entries and highlight red flags based on evolving HS interpretations.
Also, subscribe to updates from Import Genius or GlobalTrade.net to stay on top of enforcement trends in your category.
Are Your August Transit Times Still Achievable?
Transit time reliability is plummeting. In July, average on-time performance for ocean carriers fell to 63%, and delays averaged 4.9 days. August will likely be worse.
Air freight has also seen disruption, especially due to tighter security checks and reduced belly cargo on passenger flights during the summer peak.
What Are the Worst Lanes for August Delays?
- China → US West Coast: Up to 7-day rollover
- China → Hamburg: Blank sailing risk + inland delay
- China → Vietnam/Thailand via land: Border checks due to tightened compliance
- Airfreight via HK: Delay due to regional storm season
Track real-time updates using Sea Intelligence or Flexport’s Transit Time Tracker.
How Can You Improve ETA Accuracy?
- Switch to priority service tiers on air and ocean
- Use digitally enabled forwarders with milestone tracking
- Adopt dynamic routing tools to reroute in-transit shipments
- Keep buffers of at least 7 days for sensitive deliveries
At GeeseCargo, we offer proactive rerouting alerts and port congestion forecasts for each major hub we serve—because sometimes, ETA is the difference between profit and penalty.
Conclusion
August isn’t just another month—it’s a tipping point for global freight. With blank sailings, fuel surcharges, customs crackdowns, and rising delay risks, only those with an updated logistics strategy will survive the turbulence.
Don’t let August surprise you. Rethink your routes, re-negotiate your rates, and above all—rely on experienced partners who can see the full map, not just the next booking form.
Need help preparing your freight for August and beyond? Contact Ben Zhu at benzhu@geesecargo.com—we’ll make sure your cargo stays on course, compliant, and competitive.