The post What Does a Freight Forwarder Do? first appeared on Stockwells.

We sat down with our National Sales Executives Olivia Skondras and Ela Ikiz to unpack what fitness brands should really be looking for in a freight partner, and why the cheapest option isn’t always the smartest one.

What to look for (beyond price)

Why is choosing the right freight partner such a critical decision for fitness brands right now?

Olivia: A reliable freight partner doesn’t just move products from A to B. They help ensure stock arrives on time, customs requirements are met, costs are controlled and disruptions are managed quickly. In a market where customers expect fast product availability and seamless service, choosing the right freight partner can be a significant competitive advantage.

Ela: Consumer expectations are higher, supply chains are more complex and delays or poor service can quickly impact sales and customer loyalty.

What are the most common mistakes fitness brands make when picking a freight forwarder?

Ela: One of the biggest mistakes is focusing solely on freight rates. While competitive pricing is important, the cheapest option can often result in delays, poor communication, hidden costs or inconsistent service.

Olivia: Not looking at industry experience, ignoring visibility and communication, overlooking global capability, and only thinking about the international freight from supplier to port rather than customs clearance and the rest of the supply chain.

Can you give some examples of the kind of goods fitness brands may need freight services for?

Olivia: It’s a really broad mix. We move commercial gym equipment and machinery, home fitness equipment like treadmills, rowing machines and weights, and fitness apparel and footwear. On top of that there are exercise accessories such as resistance bands, mats and recovery tools, nutrition products and supplements, fitness technology and wearable devices, and retail display equipment for gyms and fitness stores.

What should fitness brands actually be comparing between forwarders?

Olivia: Brands should be comparing industry experience and expertise, how responsive and clear a forwarder’s communication is, and the quality of their shipment visibility and tracking technology. It’s also worth thinking about how well a forwarder can scale with the business as it grows, and whether they have the warehousing and transport infrastructure to support that.

Ela: It comes down to their global network, how much visibility they offer and how well they solve problems when things don’t go to plan.

Industry experience

What is Stockwells’ experience with fitness brand clients?

Ela: We’ve worked closely with fitness accessory brands, shipping things like protein shakers, gym towels, apparel and accessories.

Olivia: My experience sits more on the equipment side, working with gym equipment, weights and racking systems.

Can you give an example of when that experience has helped a fitness client grow, solve a problem or succeed?

Ela: We’ve helped clients reduce delays and assisted with overflow warehousing when they needed it, which got stock to market quicker for sales.

Olivia: I’ve helped simplify the supply chain for clients through incoterm training and consultancy, working with them on how to reduce bottlenecks in their process.

Communication and visibility

What does day to day communication look like when a fitness brand works with Stockwells?

Olivia: Communication is built around being proactive rather than reactive. Clients have access to a dedicated team that keeps them informed throughout the freight journey. This includes updates on booking confirmations, shipment departures, transit milestones, customs clearance progress and final delivery arrangements.

What kind of shipment visibility and reporting does Stockwells offer clients?

Olivia: Stockwells provides clients with shipment tracking and reporting tools that deliver clear insights into cargo status, transit progress and key milestones. Regular updates and reporting help businesses better manage inventory, forecast stock availability and identify potential issues before they become major disruptions.

Long-term partnership vs transactional

What are the benefits for a fitness brand of building a long-term relationship with their freight partner?

Olivia: A long-term partnership enables the freight provider to become a trusted advisor rather than simply a logistics supplier.

What would you say to a fitness brand considering Stockwells as their freight partner?

Olivia: In today’s fast moving fitness market, a strong freight partner can play a crucial role in maintaining product availability, managing costs and supporting growth. By choosing a provider that offers expertise, transparency and long-term partnership value, fitness brands can build a more resilient and competitive supply chain for the future.

The bottom line

Choosing a freight partner is never just about who can move a shipment for the lowest price. As Olivia and Ela have made clear, it’s about finding a team that understands the fitness industry, communicates proactively, gives real visibility into where stock is at every stage and is willing to grow alongside the brand rather than just process orders.

Before signing with a freight partner, it’s worth asking:

• Do they have genuine experience with fitness brands and the goods we ship, from equipment to apparel to supplements?
• Will we get proactive updates at every stage of the journey, or will we be chasing them for answers?
• Can they offer the visibility and reporting we need to forecast stock and catch problems early?
• Are they set up to scale with us as our business grows, with the warehousing and transport infrastructure to back it up?
• Are they focused on becoming a long-term partner, or just closing the next shipment?

Ready to find a freight partner built around your brand’s growth? Get in touch with Stockwells here or email us at sales@stockwells.com.au to see how we can support your fitness brand’s supply chain in 2026 and beyond.

The post Our National Sales Executives Explain How to Choose a Freight Partner for Your Fitness Brand first appeared on Stockwells.

In this edition, we cover:

• Asian Port Congestion Causes Sharp Decline in Shipping Schedule Reliability
• China Typhoon Update: Potential Supply Chain Disruptions Following Typhoon Saudel
• Commencement of the 2026-27 BMSB Risk Season – 1 September 2026
• Panama Canal transit capacity reductions announced for September
• CHRISTMAS ORDERS – Get them in now to avoid missing out or delays!
• Shipping Charges & Fees

Click here to read the full newsletter.

The post News Alert | 4th September 2026 first appeared on Stockwells.

How Does Freight Forwarding Work in Australia?

Freight forwarding is the process of coordinating the movement of goods from one place to another. For international shipments, it can involve freight arrangements, documentation, customs requirements and shipment tracking.

Understanding how these steps fit together makes international shipping easier to plan.

 

What Does a Freight Forwarder Do?

The post How Does Freight Forwarding Work in Australia? first appeared on Stockwells.

How Does Freight Forwarding Work?

The post What Is Freight Forwarding? first appeared on Stockwells.

Click here to read the full newsletter.

The post Urgent News Alert | 21st August 2026 first appeared on Stockwells.

In this edition, we cover:

• Significant Weather Disruptions | China
• Brisbane | Fisherman Islands Terminal Shutdown 1st September 2026
• Panama Canal transit capacity reductions announced for September
• CHRISTMAS ORDERS – Get them in now to avoid missing out or delays!
• Typhoon ‘Dolphin’ brings severe weather to China
• Australian Biosecurity Compliance: Key BMSB and Khapra Beetle Updates for Importers
• Italy Rates Increase Due to Ongoing Volatility
• Reminder | Check your overseas fumigation provider’s approval status
• DAFF Export Assurance Reform
• Shipping Charges & Fees

Click here to read the full newsletter.

The post News Alert | 28th August 2026 first appeared on Stockwells.

Here’s what’s happening across China ports, and what it means for your supply chain.

Summary

• Vessel schedules out of China are currently running 10 to 13 days behind, driven by typhoon disruption on top of existing congestion.
• Some carriers are bypassing Shanghai and Ningbo entirely, shifting capacity to Qingdao, Xiamen, Nansha, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
• Freight rates are expected to rise a further USD 500 to 1,000 per 20GP/40HQ from 15 September.

What’s causing the freight disruption in China

Typhoon-related disruptions are continuing to affect major East China ports, including Shanghai and Ningbo, causing repeated port closures and significant congestion. 

Large numbers of feeder barges remain stranded at these ports, and some shipping lines are now bypassing Shanghai and Ningbo entirely, opting for direct calls to Qingdao, Xiamen, Nansha, Shenzhen and Hong Kong instead. As a result, available shipping capacity out of China has been substantially reduced.

This is compounding pressure that was already building. Earlier in the week, before the typhoon disruption escalated, Shanghai was already seeing anchoring wait times of 5 to 10 days (compared to the usual 2 days between berthing and departure). Additionally, Ningbo was seeing waits of 3 to 5 days, with a number of carriers already choosing to skip Shanghai calls.

Vessel delays are now running at 10 to 13 days

With carriers struggling to manage the growing backlog, vessel schedules out of China are currently experiencing widespread delays of 10 to 13 days. At the same time, factories are operating at full capacity to meet peak-season production and new order demand — so the pressure on the supply chain is expected to intensify rather than ease over the coming weeks.

If you’re shipping FCL or LCL out of Shanghai or Ningbo to Australia, expect significant delays and a heightened risk of rollovers while vessels queue for berths and capacity remains tight.

Freight rates are rising too

Congestion isn’t the only cost pressure. Major carriers — including COSCO, OOCL, ANL, MSC and PIL — have already announced General Rate Increase (GRI) and Rate Restoration (RR) notices. Market expectations indicate rates could rise by a further USD 500 to 1,000 per 20GP/40HQ from 15 September, on top of current September pricing.

How Stockwells supports your China freight

With this much volatility across ports, vessels and rates, you need a reliable partner. Stockwells has been navigating freight disruption for over 55 years, and we bring that experience to every shipment: keeping you informed with clear, timely communication. 

We build visibility into your supply chain, and draw on our strong shipping line relationships to find alternative routing or consolidation options when the standard path is blocked.

We’re here as a long-term partner, working through disruptions like these alongside you, year after year.

Get in touch

With congestion, equipment shortages and rate increases all in play, the best move is to book early and stay in touch with your Stockwells team as the situation develops.

Talk to your Stockwells customer service representative today to review your shipping schedule.

The post China freight update: Port congestion, delays and rising rates you need to know first appeared on Stockwells.

In this edition, we cover:

• CHRISTMAS ORDERS – Get them in now to avoid missing out or delays!
• Typhoon ‘Dolphin’ brings severe weather to China
• Australian Biosecurity Compliance: Key BMSB and Khapra Beetle Updates for Importers
• Italy Rates Increase Due to Ongoing Volatility
• Reminder | Check your overseas fumigation provider’s approval status
• DAFF Export Assurance Reform
• Shipping Charges & Fees

Click here to read the full newsletter.

The post News Alert | 14th August 2026 first appeared on Stockwells.

In this edition, we cover:

• ACFS Port Logistics Enters Administration Update
• Brisbane Public Holiday | 12th August 2026
• Shipping Advisory: Typhoon-Related Delays Across China Ports
• Italy Rates Increase Due to Ongoing Volatility
• Reminder | Check your overseas fumigation provider’s approval status
• DAFF Export Assurance Reform
• Brown Marmorated stink Bug (BMSB) Season 2026-2027 is Almost Here
• Shipping Charges & Fees

Click here to read the full newsletter.

The post News Alert | 7th August 2026 first appeared on Stockwells.