Welcome to the August edition of the Global Logistics Update! We continue to bring you the latest insights, trends, and updates from the world of logistics. As we navigate through the second half of the year, the logistics industry continues to face dynamic challenges and opportunities, from technological advancements to evolving market demands.
South African Ports
South African ports are experiencing significant challenges and week 32 was no different. Durban port continued with delays due to equipment failures and the ripple effect of cancelled appointment slots to ease congestion from the previous week. It was all hands-on deck in the media to turn the situation around but unfortunately truckers reported hours of standing time and Importers experienced all round delivery delays.
Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 15-18 days, Cape Town 7 days and Coega 8 days on average. Durban Pier 2 is currently still experiencing slow operations and equipment breakdowns. Cape Town port has experienced severe weather conditions, mainly strong winds, causing Cape Town terminals to be on standby this past weekend.
We highlight in the images below, vessels currently at anchorage pending berth at our major ports, Local delays recorded, as well as Transnet statistics for Durban showing most delayed vessels with the number of days at anchorage:
Overall, South African ports continue to grapple with significant delays, and it is recommended that shippers factor these delays into their planning to mitigate disruptions. We share the below articles explaining the impact of recent port disruptions.
Truck booking system is killing our business – harbour carrier
Harbour carriers in South Africa are doing whatever they can to remain in business while facing mounting odds stemming from congestion at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) and an automated truck-slot booking system accused of failure at several ports.
Port of DBN doing all it can to improve container movement – TPT
Straddle carrier capacity and breakdowns continue to hold back container throughput at the Port of Durban, but Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) believes the current situation of underperformance can be rectified through better mechanical management of equipment.
Global Port Statistics
Terminals Updates:
USA
- New York/New Jersey – Vessel waiting time is up to 4 days. Truck line port congestion continues due to holiday. We are seeing some summer labor shortages so number of gangs available for certain shifts may be reduced.
- Norfolk – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days.
- Charleston – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days.
- Savannah – Vessel waiting time is up to 4 days.
- Miami/Port Everglades – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days.
- Houston – Vessel waiting time is up to 1 day.
- Oakland – Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days.
- Los Angeles/Long Beach – Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days.
- Seattle – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. T18 will be closed August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2024. Husky Terminal will have hoot gates on August 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2024.
INDIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Nhava Sheva and 3 days at Chennai port.
DURBAN – Vessel Scheduling Amendments
- CMA CGM SAN ANTONIO – with voyage 0MTHVW1MA will divert to DRT to perform discharge only and will shift to DCT to perform balance discharge and loading.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Jebel Ali.
HONG KONG
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
KOREA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Busan port.
MALAYSIA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Port Kelang.
NANSHA
- No berthing delays experienced at this port.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port.
NINGBO
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port.
SHEKOU / YANTIAN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Shekou port and 1 day at Yantian port.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
XINGANG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delay of 1 day being experienced at this port. containers transshipping in Singapore have expected delays of 2-3 weeks.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Kaohsiung port. Many offices in Taiwan were closed on 24th and 25th July due to adverse weather conditions experienced due to Typhoon Gaemi.
VIETNAM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Hai Phong and 1 day at Ho Chi Minh.
The importance of navigating through a perfect storm
Houthi vessel attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as other ocean freight disruptions are causing extended lead times for cargo moving from Europe to China, sometimes up to 30 days, says Trade Lane manager Nicoleen Nielsen. More importantly, adds the supply chain professional from Bidvest International Logistics: “These longer transit times are impacting South Africa in the form of equipment and vessel shortages,” she says.
“Equipment is also failing at South African ports. Compounding the problem is that MSC, the largest carrier out of the Far East to South Africa, has decided to allocate its bigger vessels to trade between the Far East and Europe. “This has cut about 4 000 TEUs of volume from the Far East to South Africa. Suddenly, people are trying to find space on smaller vessels for equipment.”
Logistics operators are monitoring developments and looking at alternative ports to avoid delays. Diversifying suppliers and routes is helping to minimise dependency on a single source or trade lane.
- This post is an excerpt from a column that can be read here: “Planning for unexpected.”
Freight News
We understand the importance of staying up to date with the latest trends, challenges, and advancements in our industry and we wish to highlight just a few articles which you might find of interest.
Top seven box terminal operators now control 40% of global throughput
https://theloadstar.com/top-seven-box-terminal-operators-now-control-40-of-global-throughput/
TPT launches investigation into AI manipulation claims
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/tpt-launches-investigation-ai-manipulation-claims
China-to-Europe rail freight rates soaring as operators develop Red Sea alternatives
https://theloadstar.com/china-to-europe-railfreight-rates-soaring-as-operators-develop-red-sea-alternatives/
Another on-board blaze highlights risk at sea
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/another-board-blaze-highlights-risk-sea
MSC now ‘dominating’ ocean carrier market – but rivals are also boosting capacity
https://theloadstar.com/msc-now-dominating-ocean-carrier-market-but-rivals-are-also-boosting-capacity/
Sources & References
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / MSC / Transnet / WeFreight / Beacon / Joc / MSC / Maersk / Container Statistics / Flexport / SACO