Kuehne+Nagel aims to provide the most up-to-date port operational information so you can make more informed decisions for your cargo.

Follow our weekly port updates for more information on the impact of the current Red Sea situation on cargo operations.

Africa

Cameroon

Douala: Due to congestion, the 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 3.25 days. Productivity has improved since last week due to the increased number of hourly moves. Empty and import yard utilisation is high.

Congo

Pointe Noire: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved slightly to around 4.89 days. Delayed vessels and increased yard congestion are negatively impacting operations.

Egypt

Damietta: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased to around 2.25 days. Some carriers report increased waiting times for mainline and feeder vessels even if they are on time. This is expected to continue in January due to congestion and weather. Yard capacity is high due to the Red Sea situation.

Morocco

Tangier Med: The yard utilisation is around 80% due to additional discharges from Red Sea diverted vessels.

South Africa

Durban: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 7.5 days. However, some ships can wait up to 21 days. There are currently 10 vessels at anchor. Equipment challenges and weather issues result in lower productivity across all terminals. Heavy rain and flooding is limiting landside operations. 

Cape Town: Port productivity is hampered by strong winds and equipment issues. The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved by four days this week to around 3.5 days. However, some ships wait up to 8 days for a berth. There are currently 5 vessels at anchor.

Port Elizabeth: Vessel waiting time remains high at an average of around 7 days due to strong winds. The maximum waiting time for some vessels is 20 days. The Santa Teresa is the only vessel currently at anchor.

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 14.5 days. Yard congestion and bunching vessels are causing congestion. Moreover, severe rains and sporadic power outages also had a negative impact on the waiting time. Priority berthing of various vessels under the government's directives has contributed to delays.

Asia

Although winter weather continues to interrupt port operations in China, no significant delays have been reported. The waiting time for major ports in Asia is below 2 days.

Europe

High winds and stormy weather have caused the partial and complete shutdowns of ports in the UK, Netherlands, Denmark and Germany this week. Delays to vessels and container movements can be expected.

Due to the Red Sea situation, ports are dealing with high levels of empty containers and export dwells. Volumes are also expected to increase at main terminals as diverted vessels begin to arrive.

France

Port workers are expected to strike against pension reforms at French ports as follows :

• 5 February - 4 hours of operational stoppage
• 7 February - 24 hours of stoppage
• 9 February - 4 hours of stoppage

Germany

Union workers at DB Cargo began strikes on 23 January at 18:00. On 24 January at 02:00, workers from Deutsche Bahn and City-Bahn Chemniz joined the strikes. The protests are expected to end on 29 January at 18:00. Delays to rail cargo can be expected.

Greece

Pireaus: The 7-day average vessel waiting time remains high at around 4.5 days. Pilot operations were suspended for 48 hours last week due to bad weather.

Thessaloniki: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days. The port handles one vessel at a time with limited cranes. Productivity is expected to improve in mid-February with the hiring of additional staff and the deployment of additional cranes.

North America

USA

Houston: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved from last week's 4 days to 2.56 days this week. The port is working through a backlog from the holidays and cold weather disruptions.

Central and Latin America

Argentina

All Argentinean ports will witness a 12-hour closure on 24 January as part of a nationwide strike. All services will come to a standstill, including container pick-ups and deliveries. Customs authorities will operate with guards only until 11:00 am.

Ecuador

Following a surge of violence and the declaration of a 60-day state of emergency, port, customs and warehouse operations have returned to normal. A curfew from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am remains in place.

Mexico

Mexican ports Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas remain heavily congested. Bad weather closed the port of Veracruz for more than 24 hours last week. Inland services in Mexico are still challenging due to the lack of drivers.

Nicaragua

Corinto: Container yards are heavily congested, causing an increase in turnaround times at the port. Trucking availability averages 7-14 days due to a shortage of truckers.

Oceania

Australia

Industrial action by port workers at DP World terminals has been extended again. The union has announced a series of work bans and stoppages from Monday, 22 January, to Saturday, 3 February. Please refer to Kuehne+Nagel's update for details on each port.

Melbourne: Pro-Palestine protesters blocked the entrance of Victoria International Terminal on Monday, 22 January. The aim was to prevent port workers from entering the port and block container movement. In particular, the group wanted to stop the docking of the ZIM Ganges, operated by the Iraeil-owned shipping line ZIM. Port operations have returned to normal. However, the vessel remains at anchor since 19 January.

Sydney: DP World terminals continue to be impacted by the industrial action. The cargo backlog, as a result of bad weather, is causing some delays at Patrick Terminals.

New Zealand

Auckland

The berthing windows were significantly affected by delays to vessels offshore, including the industrial action in Australia. This is increasing pressure on berth availability and demand in Auckland. Rail and road services are running smoothly.

Possible congestion is expected due to public holidays in Auckland from 27-29 January and 6 February, creating two short working weeks. Customers are requested to pick up containers as soon as possible to ensure cargo flow.