by Fiona Nagorsnik, SeaNewsEditor
Stay ahead of supply chain disruptions and port congestion with Kuehne+Nagel's weekly port operational update.
Middle East Africa
Egypt
Alexandria: Yard utilisation is 93% at Alexandria's old terminal and 95% at Alexandria El Dekheila. Vessels arriving out of the window can wait up to two days for a berth.
Algeria
Algiers: Due to congestion, the 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.5 days. However, some vessels can wait up to 12 days for a berth.
Ghana
Tema: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days due to the dredging of a berth
Gambia
Banjul: The port is experiencing severe congestion with no berthing windows available, resulting in waiting times of around 12 days. However, some vessels can wait up to 20 days.
Djibouti
Djibouti: The average 7-day vessel waiting time is around 3 days. Due to the bunching of vessels, the berth lineup is severely congested. Moreover, the reefer capacity is around 90%.
Cameroon
Douala: The average 7-day vessel waiting time is around 3.83 days. The port currently has problems with reefer deliveries.
Algeria
Oran: The average 7-day vessel waiting time is around 4.3 days. The waiting time for feeders with 148m is around 4 to 5 days, and with more than 160m, it is around 8 to 10 days.
Saudi Arabia
Damman: The yard occupancy is at 100%.
Unexpected snowfall causes additional delays in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban ports.
Asia Pacific
China:
Global container port congestion has reached record levels due to typhoon disruptions at Chinese ports. Over 3 million TEU of vessels are waiting at anchorages, with Shanghai and Ningbo heavily impacted. Read more here
Shekou: Although operations are back to normal after the last typhoon, congestion continues.
Sri Lanka
Colombo: The yard density is around 100%. Vessels arriving out of the window can wait up to 72 hours.
Australia
Sydney: Previous adverse weather caused an average vessel waiting time of around 2 days.
Bangladesh
Chattogram: The overall situation remains stable. However, the port is heavily congested, with vessel waiting times around 2.73 days.
Philippines
Manila: The average 7-day vessel waiting time increased to around 3 days. Both Manila North and South remain heavily congested and have not yet recovered from recent adverse weather. The overall situation has stabilised in Manila North (MICT), but heavy berth traffic continues.
Europe
This week, European rail networks saw some relief after severe flooding, but cargo transport remains limited in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The Ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven face delays and partial cancellations in Germany—Austria’s Vienna—St. Pölten section is closed to freight trains, affecting services via Linz and Krems. In Hungary, floods and a derailment incident have disrupted rail transport, with the network expected to reopen by 28 September. Further disruptions are anticipated due to maintenance and staff shortages. Read more here
United Kingdom
Southampton: High import volumes of over 12,000 TEU are causing port issues. Hauliers face limited VBS slots, and empty containers may be diverted if not cleared.
London Gateway: The yard density is at around 75%. The volume of unallocated stock has surpassed the available free pool levels, necessitating immediate evacuation.
Felixstowe: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days due to port congestion, crane outages, and scheduling issues.
Spain
Barcelona: A high number of vessel calls, move counts, and yard congestion are causing delays.
Valencia: High call volumes, move counts, and severe weather continue to cause delays.
Germany
Hamburg: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days. The yard utilisation is over 100%. On 25 September 2024, ordnance disposal will be conducted at the ECT. This safety measure will result in restrictions and potential delays in terminal operations. EKOM Hamburg reports a delay in rail processing of up to 24 hours and CTB of up to 8.
North America
Canada
The average rail dwell times are:
Halifax - 7 days
Montreal - 9 days
Prince Rupert - 9 days
Vancouver - 13 days
Montreal: The average rail dwell time is around 9 days. Local 375 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing Port of Montreal longshoremen, will hold a strike vote this week. Their five-year agreement expired on 31 December 2023, and talks with the Maritime Employers Association have stalled. Mediation is set for 26 September. The union seeks to preserve wage guarantees and a 20% pay rise. Read more here
United States
The strikes on the US East Coast are approaching faster, with USMX and ILA issuing conflicting statements about their Master Contract negotiations. With a potential strike looming, exporters and retailers are worried about severe disruptions. Lawmakers are urging President Biden to intervene using the Taft-Hartley Act to prevent the strike and ensure the continuous flow of goods. The situation remains uncertain, but a strike seems likely. Read more here
Hurricane Helene has triggered an Orange alert, impacting Mexico and the United States. As of 24 September 2024, the cyclone has reached wind speeds of up to 194 km/h and is forecast to cause significant disruptions, particularly at major ports, and is expected to make landfall between 26 and 27 September. Read more here
Mobile: Due to shoaling, draft restrictions in the Turning Basin are set at 43 feet.
South and Central America
Mexico
Hurricane John weakened to a tropical depression after making landfall as a major category 3 hurricane on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The storm caused severe rainfall and winds of 150 km/h, particularly affecting the region between Acapulco and Puerto Escondido. Read more here
Ensenada The yard utilisation is around 93%.
Manzanillo: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.75 days due to a congested berth lineup. The yard density is around 97%.
Lazaro Cardenas: The yard occupancy is around 86. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 3 days. However, ships arriving out of the window wait up to 7 days.
Brazil:
Ports across Brazil are slightly congested due to dense fog and adverse weather in the previous weeks.
Costa Rica
Caldera: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 4 days due to yard congestion and work being carried out to improve gate transit. Moreover, a scanner is installed.
Ecuador
Posorja: The government will implement electricity supply cuts due to low river levels affecting hydroelectric plants. DPW Posorja has confirmed that terminal generators can supply reefer racks, and gantry cranes will operate at 60% capacity.
