GLOBAL LOGISTICS UPDATE – 13 JANUARY 2025

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Welcome to the January edition of our Global Logistics Update. The logistics industry continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by a dynamic mix of geopolitical events, technological advancements, and changing consumer demands. We aim to bring you the latest updates on shipping trends, challenges, and opportunities worldwide in order to navigate this ever-changing landscape

South African Ports

South African ports are integral to our economy, facilitating the movement of goods domestically and internationally, acting as key hubs across Southern Africa. Managed by Transnet National Ports Authority, these ports support a variety of cargo types, including bulk commodities, containers, liquid fuels, and automotive products. The main ports including Durban, Coega and Cape Town each continue to experience varying degrees of challenges as summarised on a weekly basis below:

We highlight in these images vessels currently at anchorage pending berth at our 3 main ports. Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 12 days, Cape Town at 5 days and Coega at 2 days on average. 

While South African ports are currently grappling with operational inefficiencies, financial losses, and congestion, strategic investments and infrastructure reforms are underway to address these issues. The success of these initiatives will be pivotal in enhancing port performance and supporting the nation’s economic recovery in the coming years.

A Look Back at Maritime’s Biggest Stories of 2024

From shifting trade routes to bold green initiatives and geopolitical turmoil, 2024 has been nothing short of transformative for the maritime industry. 

https://gcaptain.com/a-look-back-at-maritimes-biggest-stories-of-2024/

Global Ports

Port Updates into 2025:

Africa & Indian Island Oceans

East African ports continue to experience congestion. Export scheduling to the region is erratic at present resulting in multiple changes to published schedules

Angola/ Nigeria/ Mozambique/ Ivory Coast/Ghana/ Tanzania – main ports experienced 1–3 day berthing delays
Kenya/Namibia – main ports experienced 5–8 day berthing delays
Mauritius – Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Port Louis

Canada:
Montreal/Vancouver/Toronto – berthing delays of 6-8 days experienced at main ports

USA:
New York / New Jersey – Vessel waiting time is up to 4 days. Installation of cranes underway
Norfolk/ Savannah/ Charleston/ Miami– Vessel waiting time is 5-8 days. 
Houston/ Oakland/ L.A. – Vessel waiting time is 3 days. 
Seattle – Vessel waiting time is up to 10 days.

Argentina – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Buenos Aires port. 
Brazil – Berthing delays of 8 days experienced at Santos port. 
Mexico – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira and Manzanillo ports, and 5 days at Veracruz port

Belgium – Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Antwerp port. 
France – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Le Havre port. 
Germany – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Hamburg port and 7 day at Bremerhaven port. 
Italy – Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Genova port and 9 days at La Spezia ports. 
Netherlands – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Rotterdam port. 
Spain / Sweden / Turkey – Berthing delays of 3-5 days experienced at main ports 
UK – Berthing delays of 7 days experienced at London Gateway port. 

India – Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Nhava Sheva and Chennai port. 
UAE – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Jebel Ali port
Sri Lanka – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Colombo port. FCL containers transhipping in Colombo have expected delays of 2 weeks.

APAC:
Korea/Nansha/Ningbo/Qingdao/Shanghai/Xiamen/Xingang/Thailand – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at main ports
Malaysia – Minor berthing delays. FCL containers transhipping in Tanjung Pelepas have expected delays of 1-2 weeks
Singapore – Minor berthing delays. FCL containers transhipping in Singapore have expected delays of 1-2 weeks

China – Lunar New Year 2025 starts on Wednesday, January 29th, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 12th. Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday. Please expect delays as many companies will close during this period (January 29th–February 4th, 2025).

US East Coast ports strike averted

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have struck a tentative deal on a new six-year labour contract

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/us-east-coast-ports-strike-averted

Ocean container shipping rates may fall after USEC deal

“It is extremely difficult for shippers to protect supply chains and manage freight spend with this level of uncertainty and when the stakes are so high.” Stausbøll added that spot rates may now begin to fall – but shippers still face other supply chain threats in 2025.

https://container-news.com/ocean-container-shipping-rates-may-fall-after-usec-deal/

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.

Trade access a waiting game ahead of Trump inauguration
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/trade-access-waiting-game-ahead-trump-inauguration

Sri Lanka to improve container release efficiency at Colombo port
https://en.portnews.ru/news/371919/

Global revenues soar, but loss of steam for OOCL’s Asia-Europe trade
https://theloadstar.com/global-revenues-soar-but-loss-of-steam-for-oocls-asia-europe-trade/

Geopolitical tension tempers airfreight optimism as spot rates fall
https://theloadstar.com/geopolitical-tension-tempers-airfreight-optimism-as-spot-rates-fall/

Shipping markets notch up significant gains in 2024
https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/maritime-transportation/shipping-markets-notch-up-significant-gains-in-2024

2025 – freight forwarding exec highlights growth and transformation
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/2025-freight-forwarding-exec-highlights-growth-and-transformation

Sources & References 
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / Openpr / Transnet / WeFreight /  MSC / AfricaPorts / Container Statistics / Flexport / SACO / Hellenic Shipping / Worldcargonews

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