5 June 2024 (Lloyd's List) - CONGESTION at DP World’s West Swanson Terminal in Melbourne has been described as “extreme” by container industry advocacy group Container Transport Alliance Australia.

The group said works to reconfigure landside truck grids have removed about 35% of landside capacity and resulted in huge delays at the port.

CTTA said truck turnaround times on some shifts have eclipsed four hours, meaning transport operators have missed subsequent time slots.

The reduced capacity, combined with a busy schedule at the port, has resulted in a situation “akin to trying to pour 10 litres into a five-litre bucket”, said CTTA director Neil Chambers.

CTTA said DP World subcontracted the unloading of some cargo on the 2,578 teu vessel CMA CGM Quelimane (IMO: 9367839) to nearby Victoria International Container Terminal as a result of some congestion.

DP World warned of more delays over the weekend of June 8-10, which includes a public holiday on June 10 in the state of Victoria. 

“The volume of cargo for vessels cutting off and available will exceed the road capacity on multiple shifts,” it transport operators in an advisory.

“Demand for preferred operational times will far outstrip what can be supplied and full use of every zone that the terminal is open will be required.”

CTTA said that once DP World’s works on the new truck grid are completed, vehicle flow through the port will be “drastically improved”.

DP World Melbourne’s woes fit into a wider pattern of congestion across ports in Asia, as Red Sea rerouting continues to disrupt container lines. Delays at Singapore reached up to seven days, with up to 450,000 teu waiting to berth.