Update on the scenario in Durban as follows:
- Extensive work has been ongoing all weekend to repair damaged access routes into the port as well as clean-up operations in the harbour itself. Formal reporting back on progress is exceptionally limited but contacts on the ground assure us that there is indeed good progress being made.
- Current vessels in port are working and we now await updated schedules with regards to future berthing plans.
- Some Bayhead Road access has been re-established, although repairs seem temporary and limited to one lane in and one lane out. Smaller vehicles and road tankers are being allowed to use the Bluff exit but this is being rigidly controlled as the road system on this route is not geared for heavy volumes nor weights. Formal communication from the port indicates that import collection and export stack bookings have not yet been opened for truckers as they are dealing with vehicles stuck in the harbour during the flood and the movement of some essential goods. However, our truckers have started to get limited booking releases this morning and so we are working hard with the trucking teams to evacuate available containers as soon as we can. Whether our bookings for later today will be honoured and the impact of limited road access still remains unclear but we will keep all parties updated.
- Vessels sent last week to Coega with Durban containers have been discharged at Coega and we are still assessing whether we can get access to these containers in Coega, or if they are best left to return via transhipment to Durban. Shipping lines are frankly inundated with requests and assessing hourly their own planning in a very volatile climate. To a large degree so far, we have not been granted permission on any request to take release in Coega and have not been given permission from SARS Customs to process a VOC for Coega release. Trucking rates ex Coega to Durban and Johannesburg are simply insane as prices have been increased significantly by all carriers off the back of demand. Extra costs for haulage are added to change of destination costs from lines making any change a costly process. Whilst we continue to assess each case on its own merits and give our customers options to consider, our sense is that Durban will return to normal quicker than initially expected and we may indeed be in a better position to leave containers to return via sea than pay the excess rates for Coega release as well as deal with trucking and port delays in Coega because of volume demands. However, please be assured that each case is being assessed almost hourly by our team. If you have any queries in this regard that have not been clearly communicated so far by our team, please do not hesitate to call or mail Graeme Impson.
SHANGHAI COVID SHUTDOWN
The scenario remains unchanged from our Thursday updates and Shanghai remains under very rigid shutdown regulations which effectively prevent 90% of movements ex sea and airports in the area. Again, our teams are in touch with every consignee and supplier to assess whether alterative ports can be considered despite the extra costs and congestion now being experienced in these ports as a result. We have been in touch with Cargo Partner China again today and expect a full review update on each port as shared last week and will forward this as soon as possible.