Rocket Freight cautions that New Zealand could see steep freight cost hikes, surging living expenses, and delivery delays stretching months amid the Iran conflict’s ripple effects on global supply chains.
The freight company noted that local road transport operators have already raised fuel surcharges by over 30%.
“It’s everywhere, it’s affecting everyone, and it will come down to the last dollar for every single person in New Zealand,” Rocket Freight director Lisa Coleman said.
“Every product that arrives on shelves will be affected.”
Air freight is also under pressure. Coleman said Dubai-based Emirates—the country’s largest air freight operator—had suspended operations, with remaining carriers promptly imposing war and fuel surcharges.
With just two primary air freight providers still operating to New Zealand—and many airlines yet to resume post-pandemic—Coleman said competition remains scarce, driving sharp price surges, especially for oversized cargo.
While acknowledging some hikes as justified, she called many “a marketing ploy and a money grab.”
In terms of ocean freight, Coleman said international shipping lines have slapped a “war risk surcharge” of up to 50% on marine transit policies.
Many vessels are avoiding the Middle East entirely, rerouting via southern Africa—which adds up to 40 days to transit times and sharply hikes fuel costs.
Some shipping lines have invoked force majeure or the contractual clause relieving them of delivery duties amid events like war, natural disasters, or government actions. Force majeure events aren’t covered by insurance, as they’re classified as acts of war.
In several instances, Coleman said, cargo had been offloaded at the nearest safe port.
“Then you have to negotiate to get that container picked up from wherever it ended up, put on a different ship, and get it over here,” she said.
Coleman said escalating transport costs would cascade through the entire supply chain.
“It comes down to that loaf of bread – it’s going to increase dramatically just because of transport costs.”