If you are planning to move abroad in late 2025, you may already be feeling nervous. International shipping is under pressure, and delays and disruptions are being felt across the whole industry. To be clear, this is a shipping issue affecting all moving companies, not a John Mason problem. Every mover is navigating the same challenges.
Here is what is happening, how it affects key destinations, and what you can do to protect your overseas move.
Moving to Australia or New Zealand: Longer Shipping Times Are Common
Shipping times from the UK to Australia and New Zealand are now ranging between 56 and 89 days. That is a big gap, and most of the delay comes from rollovers. These are when containers are bumped from their scheduled ship and moved to a later one, often with little notice.
If you are moving to Australia or New Zealand, plan early, stay flexible, and keep in regular contact with your Move Manager.
Shipping to the USA or Canada: Routes and Costs Are Changing
Many shipping lines now route services to the US through Southampton. This has reduced flexibility and made space harder to secure. If you are moving to Canada, be aware that a Low Water Surcharge is now being added to shipments via the St. Lawrence River. This is due to reduced water levels and affects all movers equally.
Moving to Asia, the Middle East or Oceania: Shipping Times Are Longer
Because of conflict in the Red Sea, most routes now go around the Cape of Good Hope rather than through the Suez Canal. This adds considerable time to your shipment. Some Middle Eastern ports are also being skipped due to congestion. Asia-bound routes are often full, and sailings are sometimes cancelled or merged, which creates delays.
Moving to South Africa, India or the UAE: Fewer Services Mean Less Flexibility
Some inland destinations are being removed from shipping schedules due to congestion and poor transport infrastructure. This means fewer ports of call and more on-land transport, making early planning even more important.
Why These Shipping Delays Are Happening
- Vessels are often departing before all containers are loaded to maintain schedules
- Ports in the UK and overseas are congested, causing slowdowns
- Shipping lines are changing routes and charges with very short notice
- Containers arriving for moves are sometimes in poor condition and must be rejected
- New shipping rules from the EU and stricter safety checks are causing additional delays
These are global shipping problems beyond the control of individual movers.
How You Can Protect Your Move
- Book early to secure container space
- Be flexible with your moving and delivery dates
- Use warehouse loading where possible, especially in cities
- Choose a moving company that explains these challenges openly
If a mover is not mentioning any of these delays or costs, be cautious. The global shipping market is too unpredictable right now for guaranteed transit times. At John Mason International Movers, we believe in being upfront about the realities so you can plan properly and avoid surprises.
Read the Full October 2025 Shipping Update
The British Association of Removers has published a full breakdown of global shipping conditions for October. You can read it here: https://bar.co.uk/global-shipping-conditions-1st-october-2025
Moving Abroad in 2025? Talk to Us First
Whether you are relocating to Australia, the USA, Canada, the UAE or anywhere else, our expert Move Managers are here to help. We will walk you through the latest shipping challenges, explain your options clearly, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Get in touch today to start planning your international move with confidence.