The global Corporate Moving market continues to face disruption across several regions. The suspension of moving operations following the earthquake in Venezuela, ongoing instability across the Middle East, new European transport regulations and changing property buying trends in Spain are all influencing international relocations. Businesses should continue planning ahead, remain flexible and work closely with experienced relocation providers to manage changing market conditions.
Venezuela earthquake suspends moving operations
Moving operations remain suspended following twin earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela, causing widespread destruction across the Greater Caracas area and the state of La Guaira.
Following the declaration of a national state of emergency, the government has halted all non-essential commercial activity, including relocation services. Only critical sectors, including food supply, fuel, electricity and communications, are currently permitted to operate. The Port of La Guaira has suspended cargo operations while structural assessments are carried out, with shipping lines rerouting vessels to Puerto Cabello. The ports of Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo and Guanta remain operational, although all import and export services through Caracas and La Guaira continue to be suspended.
Airfreight has also been severely disrupted. Simón Bolívar International Airport remains closed after extensive damage to the runway and terminal buildings. Some international carriers are diverting aircraft to Valencia, Barquisimeto and Maracaibo, although runway limitations prevent larger widebody aircraft, including services from Europe, from operating.
Movers with shipments already in transit should contact their Venezuelan partners. Diversions to Puerto Cabello and Valencia Airport are expected to increase both costs and transit times. Fortunately, IAM members report that all staff remain safe.
Middle East shipping disruption continues
The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt shipping across the region. While temporary ceasefires and diplomatic discussions have periodically stabilised routes through the Strait of Hormuz, shipping lines continue to introduce booking suspensions and operational diversions.
Some services into the region have resumed using alternative routings. These services remain highly fluid and are regularly withdrawn and reinstated, largely due to congestion at alternative transit ports that were not designed to handle current cargo volumes. Many alternative routes include an overland transport leg, creating substantial additional costs that change frequently. This makes long-term freight quotations increasingly difficult. Freight rates agreed before the conflict are also no longer being honoured in many cases, meaning previous quotations may increase significantly.
Additional charges continue to be introduced throughout the shipping process. Even where carriers initially confirm that all costs have been applied, further charges are still being invoiced after containers have been discharged, often directly to the destination agent. Santa Fe and our customers should therefore expect that shipping lines may apply additional charges throughout the shipment.
Many customers continue with planned relocations despite the ongoing conflict. They should be aware that delays and higher costs are likely and remain outside Santa Fe’s control. New shipments may also become stranded at alternative ports under End of Voyage or Force Majeure conditions if the conflict escalates or carriers suspend services.
Rising oil prices are increasing bunker fuel costs, resulting in higher freight rates and inland haulage costs across global trade lanes. Alongside war risk and emergency fuel surcharges, shipping lines have also begun applying operational surcharges to recover costs passed on by terminals and feeder operators. These charges are often introduced immediately and may not have been included in original quotations.
Customers should understand that Santa Fe prepares quotations using services available at the time of booking. If a shipping line withdraws a service, omits a UK port of loading or reroutes a vessel, bookings may need to be transferred to an alternative service with higher freight costs and longer transit times. Containers also continue to be rolled to later sailings after failing to load onto scheduled vessels, creating further delays and contributing to port congestion. Shipping lines may introduce additional surcharges with very little notice, meaning costs can change between the initial quotation and the shipment departure.
Dutch buyers become Spain’s largest foreign property purchasers
Dutch citizens have overtaken British and German buyers as the largest group of foreign property purchasers in Spain, according to Spain’s Notary Council. Buyers from the Netherlands purchased 6,289 properties during 2025, an increase of 12% compared with 2024. German citizens purchased 6,233 properties, while British buyers acquired 6,152. British purchases declined by 8.5% and German purchases fell by 2.6%, while overall foreign property purchases decreased by 0.8% to just over 138,250 transactions.
Dutch demand remains strongest across Costa Blanca, particularly Alicante, together with Málaga province and the towns of Marbella, Estepona and Mijas. The figures continue to demonstrate the importance of Northern Europe’s intra-European consumer market, with affluent buyers continuing to favour Mediterranean destinations for their climate and lifestyle.
New European tachograph requirements for vans
New tachograph regulations came into effect on 1 July 2026 for light commercial vehicles used in international transport. The regulations apply to vehicles and vehicle combinations with a permissible gross vehicle weight above 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes when operating internationally or undertaking cabotage. Affected vehicles must be fitted with second-generation smart tachographs, installed and calibrated by certified workshops, while drivers must comply with the same working time regulations that apply to heavy goods vehicle drivers.
Penalties vary across Europe and include substantial fines for both drivers and companies. Belgium applies a fixed fine of €2,640, the Netherlands €4,400, while France has some of the strictest penalties, including fines of up to €30,000, imprisonment for up to one year and immediate vehicle seizure. Professional moving companies already operating tachograph-compliant heavy goods vehicle fleets are expected to benefit from a more level competitive environment, particularly in markets where informal van operators have previously undercut professional movers on international services.
Strategic recommendations for businesses
Businesses with shipments into Venezuela or the Middle East should continue monitoring operational conditions closely. Additional contingency should be allowed for freight costs, transit times and shipping surcharges, particularly where services may change at short notice. Organisations operating light commercial vehicles internationally should also review fleet compliance with the new European tachograph regulations. Working closely with an experienced relocation provider will help businesses remain flexible and respond quickly as market conditions continue to evolve.
At Santa Fe Relocation, we are dedicated to supporting our clients through these developments with timely updates and strategic advice. Our team remains vigilant, monitoring industry changes to deliver tailored solutions that ensure business continuity. For further assistance or personalised guidance, please contact your designated Santa Fe Relocation consultant.
Henk Schutte
Group Move Supply Chain Manager
Santa Fe Relocation