In an era of unprecedented volatility in global freight, from geopolitical tensions reshaping trade routes to evolving compliance requirements and rapid technological change, Australian exporters need a partner who understands the complexities of moving goods across borders and who can adapt quickly when circumstances shift.
For more than 55 years, Stockwells has built its reputation on doing exactly that. We sat down with our export team to discuss what’s happening on the ground right now: the disruptions reshaping global trade, the opportunities emerging for Australian exporters and how our team is helping clients stay ahead in a constantly changing landscape.
Q&A with the Stockwells Export Team
What does a typical export cycle look like at Stockwells, and where does your team add the most value for clients navigating global markets?
Like any shipment, a booking request comes through to our team and we assess what is needed to get the goods moving. From there we find the best available slot on a vessel to get the goods from A to B. We leverage our relationships to ensure your goods are exported as smoothly as possible, no matter what is happening in the global market.
What have been the biggest export disruptions or shifts over the past 6–12 months, and how have you adapted your approach in response?
The freight and logistics industry is constantly at risk of disruption. This is a direct result of navigating international borders, geopolitical issues, weather events and more. More recently we have seen the vast impacts of conflicts such as what is happening in the Middle East. Not only are shipments that pass through the Strait of Hormuz directly impacted – causing lengthy delays, congestion and uncertainty of slots – but we’re also seeing increases in fuel availability constraints and cost.
At Stockwells, our teams work tirelessly to mitigate the impacts of these disruptions where possible by rerouting cargo, rebooking cancellations and staying on top of developing information to best inform and react for our clients.
Are there any emerging trade lanes, markets or commodities where you’re seeing notable growth or new opportunities for Australian exporters?
Key growth opportunities for Asian market sectors currently are Food & Beverage – covering dairy, beef, wine and infant nutrition; agribusiness – covering fertilisers and ag-tech; and resources – covering metals and equipment. We are also seeing opportunities in India in metallurgical coal and agricultural commodities, with most of these moving in bulk. We may also see an increased market trend as the UK free trade agreement is put in place.
How are current regulatory or compliance changes – such as updates to Incoterms, customs requirements or DAFF rules – influencing the way exporters need to plan their shipments?
Incoterm updates occur on a ten-year cycle, making them relatively straightforward to manage through proactive client education. Our focus is on ensuring customers understand any changes as they arise and are aware of alternative Incoterms that may better suit their commercial or risk profile.
All other export regulatory requirements are verified through the relevant government portals to ensure compliance with destination-specific rules for both the commodity and the receiving country. This process also captures any biosecurity, quarantine or import permit requirements applicable to the destination market.
With ongoing volatility in global freight (capacity, schedules, pricing), what strategies does your export team use to maintain reliability and minimise risk for clients?
We educate clients on early booking in volatile times. This includes the factors around pricing and where it is better to take a spot rate over a standard contract rate, which assists in limiting rollovers and securing prebooking opportunities. All forwarders are limited to what a shipping line allows, what equipment they have available and what schedules they adopt. As long as we are in front of the changes and reduced cycles in these areas for each shipping line, and we are educating our clients accordingly, then clients themselves must also take accountability for the timeframes they give us for booking. In volatile times these will always be extended due to limited capacity and equipment. Due to the extensive contracts we hold with most shipping lines, we are able to get across booking limitations on most occasions.
How does Stockwells differentiate its export management from other freight forwarders?
The process of exporting goods does not differ greatly from forwarder to forwarder, but what does differ is the level of service you will receive. For over 55 years, Stockwells has prided itself on providing our clients with the highest level of customer service possible. Through this, our mindset is, and will always be, how we can best support our clients and their supply chain.
Can you share a recent example where your team had to problem-solve a complex export challenge?
A recent example involved a client’s shipment that needed to navigate challenges in the UAE. Their cargo was re-routed and had to come back to Australia due to UAE closures. To mitigate the effects of this unforeseen issue, our team worked closely with the shipping line and shipper to determine the best options for the cargo, including storage solutions and alternative routing. It’s exactly the kind of situation where having strong shipping line relationships and an experienced team makes all the difference.
What role does technology now play in export operations at Stockwells, and what improvements are you excited about next?
Technology is advancing quicker than we can keep up with, and Stockwells is committed to staying across the options available to us. AI will no doubt deliver some exciting advancements and we’re looking forward to what’s next – even if we don’t yet know exactly what that will look like for exports.
What do people most commonly underestimate or misunderstand about the export process?
We don’t expect our clients to understand straight away what exporting goods entails and that’s exactly why we pride ourselves on educating and supporting them through the process. As our clients’ chosen freight forwarder, Stockwells aims to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible.
Looking ahead, what trends do you expect to shape Australian exports? How is Stockwells preparing to support clients through these changes?
AI will be a trend that crosses both import and export, and we will ensure we understand any advancement that will benefit either Stockwells internally or our clients externally. Unfortunately, many of the trends at the moment are around geopolitical unrest, and we are simply navigating a very volatile time in shipping. We prepare our clients through constant updates and by working on alternative transport tradelane solutions as they become available.
The global export landscape isn’t getting any simpler, but with the right partner, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
No matter if you’re navigating geopolitical disruption, capitalising on emerging trade lanes, or staying ahead of regulatory change, success in exporting comes down to expertise, relationships and a team that’s genuinely invested in your business.
That’s what Stockwells has been delivering for over 55 years.
Ready to take your exports further? Get in touch with Stockwells today to see how we can support your operations.