by Fiona Nagorsnik, SeaNewsEditor

Stay ahead of supply chain disruptions and port congestion with Kuehne+Nagel’s weekly port operational update.

Middle East Africa

Gambia

Banjul: The port is experiencing severe congestion with no berthing windows available. Bulk vessels are being prioritized.

Congo

Pointe Noir: The average vessel waiting time over the past 7 days is approximately 2.63 days due to ongoing port repairs.

Cameroon

Douala: Congestion and crane repairs results in a 7-day average vessel waiting time of around 5 days. The yard density is around 97%. 

Algeria:

Algiers: Although the overall situation improves, the 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 3.3 days due to congestion.

South Africa

Strong winds caused disruptions in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Nigeria:

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide strike and protests starting from 00:01 on 21 August. The strike is expected to disrupt various sectors, including transportation, utilities, government services, business operations, and healthcare. Protests will likely occur along main roads, near government buildings, and transport hubs such as ports. Read more here

Tanzania:

Dar es Salaam: The 7-day average vessel waiting time increased to around 12 days due to power supply, crane, and systems issues.

Asia Pacific

Australia

Fremantle: Protected Industrial Action by pilot boat operators and vessel traffic service operators halted vessel movements to and from berths from 18 August 05:30 to 20 August 05:30 local time. Vessel cargo operations and yard operations were unaffected. Another 48-hour strike is announced for 25 August, starting at 5:30 in the morning. Read more here. Moreover, severe weather is causing additional delays.

Bangladesh

Chittagong: The port of Chittagong (Chattogram) is heavily congested with an ongoing equipment shortage. There are still 40500 TEU of uncleared imports in the port. The berthing time of the feeder vessels has increased and is now between 6 and 8 days.

The port remains heavily congested; however, it is working on delivering import containers to ease the yard's utilisation.

11 vessels were waiting at the time of publication.

India

India's major port workers plan an indefinite strike from 28 August 2024 due to unmet demands for pay, benefits, and pensions. The strike may impact major ports like Nhava Sheva, Chennai, Tuticorin, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. While container operations might not be heavily affected due to private terminal contracts, vessel movements could face delays with the mooring crew joining the strike. Read more here

China

Ningbo: The explosion onboard YM Mobility at NSBCT closed the terminal for approximately 2.5 days on 9 August. The vessel remains in Ningbo for investigation, occupying a berth. Although operations at the other terminals have stabilised, berthing congestion has spilt over to these terminals due to the incident.

Shanghai: Berth congestion remains high in week 33 due to the bunching of incoming vessels and a high number of calls. The average 7-day waiting time is around 2 days.

South Korea

Busan: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days. The waiting time increased in week 33 due to the bunching of incoming vessels as well as an increased number of transshipment calls.

Philippines

Manila: The average 7-day vessel waiting time decreased to around 3 days, but severe berth congestion remains.

Singapore

Singapore: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.62 days. Although the overall situation stabilised, congestion and high yard utilisation continue. Vessels with high discharge volumes wait longer for a berth.

Europe

Belgium

Antwerp: The MPET Terminal is experiencing significant waterside delays due to the June oil spill, causing a backlog and vessel berthing delays. Berthing windows now take 10-12 days, impacting transit times. To address this, MSC is diverting merchant haulage cargo to Zeebrugge while carrier haulage cargo continues to be unloaded in Antwerp. The situation is not expected to improve before early September.

Germany

Hamburg:

On 17 August, train dispatch at the Hamburg terminals was delayed, in some cases exceeding 24 hours. An unmanned signal box in Hamburg also hampered train traffic.

• CTA: No major operational challenges were reported at the terminal. Although yard utilisation is high and berths are fully occupied. Shore power construction should be completed in four weeks. Labour is returning as the summer vacation season comes to a close.
• CTB: No major operational challenges were reported at CTB, although yard density is above 70%, and feeder demand is high. Shore power construction is ongoing until mid-September, which could cause some delays.

Rail backlogs at CTB and Eurogate terminals are delaying cargo by 16 hours and 11 hours, respectively. The backlog affects the whole network, which could result in train delays and cancellations.

Spain:

Congestion is ongoing in the ports of Barcelona, Algeciras and Valencia.

UK

Felixstowe: Summer labour shortages are resulting in berth congestion. The port expects the labour shortage to continue until the beginning of September.

Southampton: Kuehne+Nagel reports operational delays in Southampton due to high volumes. Truckers are reporting challenges in obtaining VBS bookings. On average, truck turnaround is currently 83 minutes. Rail companies are reporting rail failures due to containers not being shunted in time for rail departures.

Liverpool: High winds caused delays and disruptions at the beginning of week 34.

Ireland

Dublin: From 1 September, Dublin Port (MTL Terminal) will start major project work for at least 2 months. Capacity will be disrupted, reducing allowable time for export cargo on the quay to 5 days. These changes aim to improve efficiency. Hauliers should book slots on the VAST app before returning full containers or picking up empties.

Greece

Piraeus: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.33 days due to a high number of vessels calling the port. The waiting time is expected to increase in week 34 due to an increased number of calls.

North America

United States:

Tacoma: The average 7-day vessel waiting time is around 1 day. Import rail dwell times are 5.8 days at Husky and 9.6 days at Washington United Terminal. There is currently a severe rail car shortage. Read more here

New York: The port is currently severely congested, resulting in long queues to return empty containers, as well as to pick up import containers

Canada

Rail services across Canada have halted as over 9,000 workers were locked out by CN and CPKC due to contract disputes. The TCRC union began their strike on August 22 but continues negotiations. Key issues include wages and scheduling. Disruptions will affect rail services at the Port of Vancouver, with marine operations remaining fluid but facing vessel delays and increased anchorage demand. Read more here

South and Central America

Paraguay

A 15-day general strike is to take place in Paraguay from Tuesday (20 August). At least 22,000 members of a freight transport union (Sindicato de Trabajadores de Transporte de Carga Nacional e Internacional) are planning to join the strike. Heightened security measures as well as disruptions to traffic and public life are to be expected.

Mexico

Lazaro Cardenas: The berth occupancy remains high, however, the maintenance of the QC11 is finished and it is fully operational again.

Manzanillo: The average 7-day vessel waiting time is around 3.4 days due to a high yard and berth lineup congestion.

Progreso: The draft is reduced from 12.5 to 11 meters due to detected silting.

Brazil

Dense fog and severe weather with high swells caused interruptions in the ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Itapoa, Paranagua and Rio Grande

Manaus: Low water season restrictions are expected to start by the end of September due to heavy silting at critical points. Considerable draft restrictions are anticipated.

Uruguay:

Montevideo: Port workers affiliated with the Single Union of Port Workers of Branches and Related Industries (Sindicato Unico Portuario de Ramas y Afines, SUPRA) have commenced a new strike at Montevideo Port in Uruguay. The strike started today, 22 August, and is planned for 48 hours. Read more here

Panama:

Congestion is ongoing in the ports of Balboa, Cristobal and Manzanillo, with an average vessel waiting time of around 2 days.

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