by Hobbs • 3 JUN 2025

Port of Auckland VBS Fee Increase

Early last week, it was confirmed by the Ports of Auckland that there are plans to introduce a 77% increase in Vehicle Booking System (VBS) charges for road transport operators accessing the Ports in 2026.

Port of Auckland intends to increase charges for on-peak hour bookings (5:00am - 5:59pm; Monday-Friday). The first 50% of the increase is scheduled to apply from 1st January 2026, with the balance to take effect from 1st July 2026.

The Port of Auckland's intent, while forming a part of Auckland Council's revenue stream, is to make bookings during off-peak hours considerably cheaper than on-peak (6:00pm - 4:59am & weekends/public holidays) to encourage carriers and customers to collect/deliver freight during off-peak hours.

These changes will increase both costs associated with imports and exports to and from Port of Auckland.

Please get in touch with the Hobbs Global Team to discuss how we can better navigate your freight forwarding process to help minimise these costs where possible.

Recommended
View All

Hobbs Global Festive Season Operating Hours

With the completion of Halloween and Guy Fawkes, we are now well on our way to another Christmas. Please see below Hobbs Global's Operational Delivery Hours during the Festive Season. Christmas/New Years Operating Hours: 27th November 2025, Thursday - Airport/3PL Staff - Closed for Christmas Function - 12pm - 5pm. 24th December 2025, Wednesday - Closed from 12pm. Morning Collections/Deliveries from Carriers Only! 25th 26th December 2025, Thursday/Friday - Closed for Christmas Day Boxing Day. 29th 30th December 2025, Monday/Tuesday - Normal Operational Hours. 31st December 2025, Wednesday - Closed from 12pm. Morning Collections/Deliveries from Carriers Only! 1st 2nd January 2026, Thursday/Friday - Closed for New Years's Day 2nd January Public Holidays. 5th January 2026, Monday - Normal Operational Hours Resume National Delivery Cut Off Dates: Auckland to North Island Deliveries - Orders to be dispatched before 19th December for pre-Christmas delivery. Auckland to South Island Deliveries - Orders to be dispatched before 16th December for Pre-Christmas delivery. Please ensure you allow for as much time as possible for shipments/deliveries to occur in the lead up to, and during the Festive Season. We will do our best to accommodate where possible, however seasonal volumes will dictate capacity. Please could you let us know your Christmas operational hours by return. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Hobbs Global Team.

by Hobbs • 5 NOV 2025

Road Closures - Coromandel

We've been advised to expect some road closures through Thames Coast Road (SH25) and Kopu Hikuai (SH25A) through November. We expect delays and re-routing into the Coromandel, Whitianga, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata Cooks Beach as a result. Please ensure customers are aware to expect delays. Thursday 30th October - Tuesday 4th November: Thames Coast Road (SH25) through to Coromandel from just past Tapu will be closed. Monday 10th November - Friday 21st November (8am - 5pm): Kopu Hikuai (SH25A) will be closed between 8am and 5pm daily, reopening to single-lane traffic outside those hours. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Hobbs Global Team.

by Hobbs • 27 OCT 2025

Industrial Action in Rotterdam, Netherlands & Antwerp, Belgium

We have been informed by our agents in the Netherlands and Belgium that industrial actions are currently impacting vessel schedules and cargo movements across Europe. Lashers at the Port of Rotterdam have this week commenced strike action demanding higher wages. All container loading/unloading operations were temporarily suspended earlier in the week, creating operational backlogs and vessel arrival/departure delays. Harbour Pilots at Port of Antwerp-Bruges are protesting against pension reforms. Vessel arrivals/departures have seen significant disruption due to reduce pilotage capacity. Major shipping lines have advised that delays are currently 2-3 days across the affected ports. We are monitoring affected cargo accordingly. If you have any concerns regarding specific cargo, please reach out to the Hobbs Global Team.

by Hobbs • 16 OCT 2025