Overall Port Congestion
Kuehne+Nagel's Disruption Indicator reflects the daily fluctuation in port congestion at hot spot ports worldwide. The indicator measures disruption in TEU waiting days by combining data on the number of vessels waiting at a port, their TEU capacities, and the number of waiting days. Under normal circumstances, the TEU waiting days would be around one million.
Overall the disruption indicator remained stable this week at 2,633,000 TEU waiting days (last week: 2,512,000 TEU waiting days).
For North American ports, the indicator improved from last week's 600,000 TEU waiting days to around 547,000 TEU waiting days due to easing congestion in Savannah, Charleston and Vancouver.
North Asian ports are still experiencing elevated levels of congestion after typhoons disrupted port operations over the last weeks. The number of vessels waiting in the Shanghai-Ningbo area reduced from 121 vessels last week to 90 vessels this week.
Operational News
Africa
Benin
Cotonou: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased to 5.5 days this week. The closure of the Niger borders and crane issues add to congestion in Cotonou.
Congo
Pointe Noire: Broken-down cranes are adding to congestion and increasing waiting times for vessels in Pointe Noire. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is almost 4.5 days this week.
South Africa
Congestion has not eased at South African ports this week. Waiting time outside Port Elizabeth has increased from 3 days last week to almost 4 days. Waiting time in Durban remains around 4 days this week due to low productivity and congestion. Vessels are waiting in Cape Town on average 3 days, a 1 day increase compared to last week.
Asia
China
Vessel waiting times in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland ports are still elevated this week at around 2 days.
South Korea
Busan: The port closed on account of Typhoon Khanun from 8-11 August. Carriers are expecting waiting times of between 1-3 days. According to Kuehne+Nagel's seaexplorer, there are currently nine vessels waiting for a berth. On a positive note, the vessel waiting time remains below 2 days for now.
Europe
Turkey
Iskenderun: More carriers are offering services to this port again; however, the additional volume and equipment issues have caused congestion. CMA CGM reports new equipment will be delivered this month, which should improve productivity. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 5 days.
Mersin: No changes in the congestion at the port this week. The port continues restricting move counts. Vessels are waiting an average of 4 days for a berth.
North America
Canada
Prince Rupert and Vancouver: One vessel is waiting for a berth at Prince Rupert, increasing the waiting time this week. Vessel waiting times improved further in Vancouver to under 3 days this week from over 4 days last week. According to data from the Port of Vancouver, as of yesterday, five vessels were in the port, and four were waiting for a berth.
Rail dwell times have improved by a day in both Prince Rupert to Vancouver to 9 days and 10 days, respectively.
USA
Houston: One crane will be out of service until 28 August at Bayport. Dredging works began at the terminal this week and will last 30-40 days. An increase in waiting times can be expected during this period. The average vessel waiting time is around 2 days.
Other Port News
Africa
Kenya
Mombasa: The port report announced the arrival of four new Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes last week. The cranes will be installed at Berth no. 16 once the old cranes are decommissioned. Unlike their predecessors, these cranes are able to handle two containers per move, known as a double lift. According to the port authority, the cranes are expected to double berth productivity and reduce ship working time by 40%.
North America
Long Beach: The port recorded another slow month in July, handling just 578,249 TEU, a 26.4% decrease compared to July 2022. Imports were 27.9% less than last July at 271,086 TEU. On the export side, the port handled just 90,134 TEU, a year-on-year decrease of 17.6%. Compared to June 2023, July volumes were around 3200 TEU lower. The volumes for the first seven months of 2023 closely mirror pre-pandemic volumes at around 4.3 million TEU. According to a port statement, adjusted trade routes, lower consumer spending, and full warehouses contributed to a softer July.
Savannah: The Georgia Ports Authority reported a 17% increase in volume for the month of July compared to June 2023. A total of 447,590 TEU moved through the Savannah last month, representing a 16% decline year-on-year. According to a port statement, dock renovations, including new cranes, increased annual berth capacity by 25% and allowed for calls from 16,000+ TEU capacity vessels. The port awaits the arrival of four additional cranes later this month. These will be operational in December.
