Kuehne+Nagel aims to provide the most up-to-date operational information so you can make more informed decisions for your cargo. Our weekly Port Update summarises events impacting global port operations this past week and what should be considered when planning future shipments.

Operational News

Africa and the Middle East

Israel

While Israeli ports remain open and operational, Lloyd's List reported a drop in the number of non-domestic cargo-carrying vessels arriving in Israel by more than 11%. Ashdod has seen a significant 21% decrease in the number of arrivals, in part due to the diversion of ships to Haifa. Nevertheless, vessels wait around 1 day for berth at both ports. Carriers continue to accept bookings to Israel.

South Africa

Durban: Weather issues caused some challenges with slot allocations for landside bookings for Pier 1 and Pier 2 last week. The return of two cranes to operations has been further delayed resulting in persistent equipment challenges.

Port productivity is impacting vessel turnaround times and schedules. The 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased to 7 days again this week. Currently, 12 vessels are at anchor.

Cape Town: Weather conditions have improved in Cape Town; however, two cranes are out of commission at CTCT, causing low productivity.

The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved from more than 10 days on 30 October to around 4 days today. The Maersk Iyo is currently at anchor, waiting to berth today.

Asia

Vessels calling at the main Chinese hubs, Ningbo, Shanghai and Yantian, are berthing without much delay. Waiting times for India's Nhava Sheva also remain under two days.

Europe

Storm Ciarán has caused disruptions across ports in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany this week. Rail services in France, Belgium and the Netherlands are also expected to be impacted.

Belgium

From 10:00 p.m. on 7 November to 10:00 p.m. on 9 November, the rail network in Belgium will come to a standstill. According to a report by Crisis24, unionised rail workers in the country will stage a nationwide strike to demand industry reforms.

SLFP Cheminots, one of the unions representing the workers, further added that a second 48-hour strike in December will follow the strikes in November. These strikes will start at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 5 December, and end at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, 7 December.

Italy

Genoa: The union workers of Italy's GMT Terminal at Genoa Port announced a strike on 7 November. This is expected to disrupt terminal operations and transportation activities. Nevertheless, the impact is likely to be limited since it affects one minor terminal of the port, according to Kuehne+Nagel sources.

Poland

Gdansk: Labour disruptions, high yard utilisation and equipment issues have resulted in elevated vessel waiting time of around 4 days. As a result of berthing delays, trucking has been impacted and has led to an announced strike by truckers between 12 and 15 p.m. on 8 November. Five vessels are currently waiting for a berth in Gdansk.

North America

No major delays have been reported for North American ports. The Port of Savannah is still experiencing delays as a result of berth construction which should be completed in February 2024.

Central and Latin America

Brazil

Manaus: Low water levels in the Amazon have rendered shipping to Manaus unfeasible. It is not yet known when vessels can resume calling the port. Some carriers have announced contingency plans for cargo to Manaus and have stopped export bookings temporarily.

Navegantes: Strong currents closed the port over the weekend. It is not yet known when it will reopen as further adverse weather is expected. Neighbouring ports of Paranagua and Itapoa could become congested as a result, and delays can be expected. Waiting time has been steadily increasing in Paranagua, as shown in the table above.

Panama

Protests in Panama are causing disruptions to landside operations, availability of trucks and port staff. Terminals will continue operating as long as it is safe to do so, said Maersk in its latest advisory. Delays to movement of both exports and imports can be expected.

Oceania

Australia

Industrial action at DP World Australia, which began in early October, will extended until 13 November as follows:

• DP World Sydney: 1-hour to 24-hour stoppages between 1 and 13 November. A full 24-hour stoppage is planned for Monday, 6 November, commencing at 6:00 am.
• DP World Melbourne: 2-8 hour stoppages between 1 and 13 November (inclusive).
• DP World Brisbane: 2-8 hour stoppages between 1 and 13 November (inclusive). A full 24-hour stoppage is planned for Tuesday, 7 November, commencing at 11.00 pm
• DP World Fremantle: 2-8 hour stoppages between 1 and 13 November (inclusive).

As per Kuehne+Nagel data, there has been minimal impact on vessel waiting times at these ports. Carriers have adjusted schedules and called at alternate terminals to minimise delays.

Melbourne: Truckers are facing challenges in accessing facilities in the Swanson Precinct of the Port of Melbourne. The closure of the Wurundjeri Way and Dudley Street intersection combined with lane restrictions on Footscray Road (down to one lane west and east bound) have caused lengthy traffic delays.

According to an advisory from Container Transport Alliance Australia, access to/from the immediate area is taking over 20 minutes or more in additional time, and truck turn times from depots in Melbourne’s west have increased by 45 minutes to one hour.

New Zealand

Auckland: Due to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Lola, the Port of Auckland closed its terminal over the weekend and into Monday. Operations are now back to normal. Blank sailings and off-window vessels, due to the industrial action at some Australian terminals, continue to influence scheduled arrival times.