Welcome to the month of Spring and yet another exciting Global Logistics Update. The logistics industry continues to face challenges and transformations on a global scale and current trends indicate how the shipping industry is rapidly evolving to address current challenges and future demands.
South African Ports
South African ports have been facing significant challenges and developments recently. One of the most pressing issues being the severe congestion at Durban Port where delays have become critical and causing an increased number of vessels waiting at anchorage to berth. We highlight in the images below, vessels currently at anchorage pending berth at our major ports, showing a vast increase outside Durban:
Port congestion and delays have been reported with Durban at 16-21 days, Cape Town 9-13 days and Coega 7 days on average. Cape Town experienced snow during week 35 causing somewhat delays at port but recovery has been quick, and no major delays reported.
Transnet Anchorage Report below – published 2 September – Vessel ETA Delays for Durban only:
Potential solutions identified to solve harbour carrier hold-ups
Ahead of Sunday’s culmination of a two-week testing phase in which Transnet is seeking to integrate better harbour carrier efficiencies into the port system at Durban Container Terminal (DCT), the state-owned logistics utility said certain adjustments had to be made for several cargo types.
Continue Reading here: https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/potential-solutions-identified-solve-harbour-carrier-hold-ups
Global Port Statistics
Port Updates:
With peak season traditionally picking up in September – We expect demand on space across all modes of transport to increase and therefore encourage all our customers to start prebooking shipments in advance of cargo ready date.
Africa & Indian Ocean Islands
- East African services ex-South Africa remain under as MSC no longer sailing directly from Durban, resulting in longer transit times & Messina only sail once monthly.
- Tema Port is experiencing port congestion which affects many other West African destinations that tranship through this port.
- Angola/Kenya/Mauritius – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced
- Ghana/Ivory Coast – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Tema and Abidjan port.
- Mozambique – Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Maputo port
- Namibia – Berthing delays of 9 days experienced at Walvis Bay port
- Tanzania – Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Dar es Salaam port. High levels of congestion continue to be experienced.
North America
- US celebrates Labor day Monday 2nd September – most companies will be closed for the day
- USA: The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) representing workers on the US East and Gulf coasts are still threatening strikes starting on the 1st October. See below links to websites that discuss this in greater detail
- Norfolk – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. Two cranes reported out of order with no significant impact on operations
- New York/New Jersey – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days
- Norfolk – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days
- Charleston/Houston/Oakland/Los Angeles – Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days
- Savannah – Vessel waiting time is up to 5 days
- Miami/Port Everglades – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days
- Canada: A ruling obliging over 9000 rail workers to remain at work has helped avoid further service disruptions and has been widely welcomed – https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/logistics/canada-rail-unions-call-strike-appeal-federal-courts
- Toronto – Berthing delays of 8 days experienced at this port
- Vancouver – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port.
Latin America
- Argentina – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Buenos Aires port
- Brazil – Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Santos port
- Mexico – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Altamira port and 3 days at Manzanillo and Veracruz ports
North West, UK, Mediterranean
- Belgium/Italy/Spain – Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at major ports
- Germany/Netherlands – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at major ports
- UK – Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway port
Indian Sub Continent & Middle East
- Capacity constraints continue to be experienced on services out of the Indian Sub-Continent. This may lead to different transit times being achieved compared to what has been published.
- However, in the Middle East we are seeing an increasing number of airlines cancel or suspend their services to Israel and/or Lebanon and some other neighbouring territories.
Asia Pacific – Oceania
All other ports are experiencing 1-2 days berthing delays
The combination of the Peak Season kicking off & the upcoming Chinese “Golden week” holidays (1st & the 7th of October) will likely result in a surge in demand for space in September across all modes of Transport. Wherever possible we encourage our clients to pre-book as far in advance as possible.
Singapore – The port remains heavily congested – This impacting services (both imports and exports) that are routed via Singapore
Ningbo/Xingang – Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port
2024 GOLDEN WEEK SAILING PROGRAMME ASIA TO AFRICA
Due to anticipated slowdown in demand during Golden Week holiday, MSC is planning to adjust capacity on its Asia to Africa network from week 39 to week 41.
The following voyages will be blanked:
Port of Beira hits record cargo volumes
Mozambique’s Port of Beira recorded cargo volume growth of 122%, reaching a historic high of 442 000 tonnes in July compared with the same period in July 2023.
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/port-beira-hits-record-cargo-volumes
Cargo growth tracking well in wake of disruption fears
Global container port throughput saw notable growth in the first half (H1) of 2024, according to the latest Cargo Movement Update, compiled by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Business Unity SA. Using data aggregated by shipping platform Alphaliner, the growth is based on increased demand and stockpiling in anticipation of potential supply chain disruptions. https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/cargo-growth-tracking-well-wake-disruption-fears
New transit record at Panama Canal
MSC Marie has set a new record at the Panama Canal by becoming the largest capacity Neopanamax vessel to transit the waterway. Measuring 366 meters in length and 51 meters in width, the MSC Marie has a maximum capacity of 17,640 TEU.
https://www.worldcargonews.com/news/2024/09/new-transit-record-at-panama-canal
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.
Decrease of up to 70% in ocean rates anticipated
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/decrease-70-ocean-rates-anticipated#:~:text=Ocean%20freight%20rates%20could%20fall,ocean%20trade%20platform%20Linerlytica%20reports.
Container ship orders surpass 2023 contracts
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/container-ship-orders-surpass-2023-contracts
Arrival of new box ships and fewer blank sailings should ease port congestion
https://theloadstar.com/arrival-of-new-box-ships-and-fewer-blank-sailings-should-ease-port-congestion/
SAA appoints NAC2000 as GSA in Zambia
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/saa-appoints-nac2000-gsa-zambia
Ramaphosa shifts Transnet to Transport Ministry
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/ramaphosa-shifts-transnet-transport-ministry
Government is failing SMMEs – logistics entrepreneur
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/government-failing-smmes-logistics-entrepreneur
Transnet signs R5bn loan with New Development Bank to improve its freight rail services
https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/transnet-signs-r5bn-loan-agreement-ndb
Sources & References
Seatrade Maritime / Loadstar / Freight News / GoComet / Maersk / MSC / Transnet / WeFreight / Beacon / Joc / MSC / Maersk / Container Statistics / Flexport / SACO