Welcome to the April edition of our Global Logistics Update. As we head into the second quarter of the year, the logistics industry continues to evolve with shifting supply chain dynamics and certainly new challenges in global trade. Stay ahead of the curve with our port analysis, industry news, and practical insights to help you optimize your logistics operations.
South African Ports
South Africa’s ports play a critical role in the country’s economic growth, serving as key gateways for trade and connecting Africa to global markets. Managed by Transnet National Ports Authority, these ports have evolved significantly over the years, adapting to trade dynamics, and supporting a variety of cargo types, including bulk commodities, containers, liquid fuels, and automotive products. The primary ports include Durban, Cape Town, Richards Bay, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Port of East London and Saldanha Bay, each with varying degrees of challenges and advancements. We expand weekly on our three main ports below:
We highlight in these images vessels currently at anchorage pending berth at our three main ports. Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 4 days, Cape Town at 9 days and Coega at 2 days on average.
South Africa’s key ports, particularly Durban and Cape Town, have been facing increasing congestion and operational challenges, impacting efficiency and supply chain reliability with significant impact on the global shipping landscape. Durban port experienced high cargo volumes in the last quarter with improvements on cargo handling. Several strategic measures have been implemented to improve efficiency going forward and reduce delays in vessels berthing. Cape Town port experienced multiple operational disruptions due to equipment failures and adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds. These conditions led to significant delays, schedule disruptions and, in some instances, the suspension of port operations. Efforts to improve overall efficiency is underway.
Transnet turns to Liebherr for major upgrade at CTCT
Transnet is boosting efficiency at Cape Town Container Terminal with new Liebherr STS cranes and RTGs, starting deliveries in April.
THE BIG IDEA: MSC exec makes a case for improved infrastructure
Physical expansion in the liner trade and cruise industry is challenging cities worldwide, with ports and supporting infrastructure not keeping pace with vessel size developments.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/big-idea-msc-exec-makes-case-improved-infrastructure
Updated SARS requirements for Import and Export declarations
From April 1st, SARS requires declarants to supplement Customs Declaration message with all relevant Commercial Invoice details that would normally appear on the Worksheet. This includes, but is not limited to, fields like INCO Terms, Payment Terms of the Invoice, SOB Date, Rate of Exchange, Date of R.O.E, Details of Dutiable Charges, Discounts, and the actual Common Factor used to determine the ZAR-based Customs Value.
‘The biggest impact will typically be at line-item level where there will now be a separate field for the Commercial Invoice Description, Brand Name and Invoice Quantity. Furthermore, the Supplier’s Invoice section will now also require the INCO-Term and Payment Terms of the invoice to be selected.’
Global Ports
Global ports are the linchpins of international trade, serving as the critical interface between maritime transport and land-based supply chains. Their efficient operation is paramount to the smooth flow of goods, impacting everything from consumer product availability to global economic stability. Global port congestion is a complex issue, and we therefore only review basic routing, infrastructure demands and berthing delays.
PORT UPDATES:
Ports not mentioned under each region, experience minor berthing delays of 2 days or less.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Angola/Nigeria/Tanzania– Berthing delays of 2-4 days experienced at main ports
Mauritius– Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Port Louis. Terminal delays recovered.
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Toronto– Berthing delays of 9 days experienced at this port.
Montreal- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at this port with winter restrictions lifted with exception of nighttime navigation for large beam vessels.
Vancouver– Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at this port.
USA
New York/New Jersey – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced with New York facing high demand and congestion.
Savannah/Miami/Oakland/Seattle – Berthing delays of 3-5 days experienced at main ports.
*Carrier schedules are erratic and frequent schedule amendments experienced.
*Oakland experiencing crane breakdowns.
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil/Argentina/Mexico – Berthing delays of 3 days on average experienced at main ports.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN
Belgium/ Netherlands/Turkey – Berthing delays of 3-5 days experienced at main ports
France/Germany/Turkey – Berthing delays of 4-5 days experienced at main ports
Italy – Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Genova and 9 days at La Spezia port.
Spain – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Barcelona and FCL’s transhipping in Algeciras have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
*All terminals in Antwerp impacted by Fog in the last 2 weeks.
*Intermittent strike action and protesting at Le Havre since January.
UK – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway Port. Terminal operating at high levels.
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST
India/UAE/Sri Lanka – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at main ports with increased volumes in Colombo.
APAC (Including Oceania)
Qingdao/Nansha– Berthing delays of 2-3 days experienced at main ports
Malaysia – Berthing delays of 2 days at Port Kelang. FCL containers transhipping in Tanjung Pelepas have a 2-week expected delay.
Singapore – Minor berthing delays. FCL container transhipping at this port still have an expected 1–2 week delay.
*Main ports are operating as expected with minor delays. Blank sailings and schedule changes are experienced.
Trump tariffs see hundreds of cancelled container bookings a day from Asia
Donald Trump’s tariff war has seen several Asian exporters cancelling container bookings, as US cargo receivers are now wary of having to pay higher prices for the goods.
https://theloadstar.com/trumps-tariffs-lead-to-hundreds-of-cancelled-container-bookings-from-asia
List of blanked transpac sailings grows as trade war heats up and demand cools
Carriers have started suspending planned transpacific services as the trade war between the US and China escalates and demand dampens.
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.
Police seize R43 million in counterfeit goods
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/police-seize-r43-million-counterfeit-goods
New Africa trade facilitation platform launched
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/new-africa-trade-facilitation-platform-launched
India withdraws access for Bangladesh transhipments, in ‘very harmful’ decision
https://theloadstar.com/india-withdraws-access-for-bangladesh-transhipments-in-very-harmful-decision
Marginal gains on east-west ocean container routes in a challenging week
https://theloadstar.com/marginal-gains-on-east-west-ocean-container-routes-in-a-challenging-week
Navigating tariffs: ‘like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while colour-blind’
https://theloadstar.com/navigating-tariffs-like-trying-to-solve-a-rubiks-cube-while-colour-blind
US-China trade could shrink by 80% – WTO
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/us-china-trade-could-shrink-80-wto
Transnet meeting fails to break wage deadlock
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/transnet-meeting-fails-break-wage-deadlock
Panama Canal traffic fell to 33.7 ships per day in March
Sources & References
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / Openpr / Transnet / WeFreight / MSC / AfricaPorts / Container Statistics+News / Flexport / SACO / Hellenic Shipping / Worldcargonews/ Maritime Executive / GCaptain/ Linerlytica / Sea Intelligence / Nan news / Freight Waves / Xeneta.