Kuehne+Nagel aims to provide the most up-to-date operational information so you can make more informed decisions for your cargo. Our weekly Port Update summarises events impacting global port operations this past week and what should be considered when planning future shipments. Additionally, we include infrastructure and volume developments, amongst other relevant general port news.
Overall Port Congestion
Kuehne+Nagel's Disruption Indicator reflects the daily fluctuation in port congestion at hot spot ports worldwide. The indicator measures port congestion in TEU waiting days by combining data on the number of vessels waiting, their TEU capacities, and the number of waiting days. Under normal circumstances, the TEU waiting days would be around one million.
The indicator for all hot spot ports has increased from last week's 2,300,000 TEU waiting days to 2,485,680 TEU waiting days this week. The indicator increased again this week for North American hot spot ports from 845,000 TEU waiting days a week ago to 939,900 TEU waiting days.
With the start of the Golden Week holidays in China on 1 October, congestion is expected to ease significantly at Chinese ports over the following weeks. Subsequently, the number of waiting vessels outside North America and Europe is expected to drop due to blank sailings planned for Asian services in October.
Operational News
Africa
South Africa
Durban: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved slightly to around 4 days. However, some vessels wait up to 8 days. Appointment slots are constrained due to the high volume of containers moving through Durban terminals. Equipment shortages and regular breakdown of equipment (straddle carriers) have impacted productivity.
Cape Town: Some carriers have decided to omit the port of Cape Town on their Europe services due to the significant delays in Cape Town. Import and export cargo will be rerouted via Coega/Port Elizabeth or Durban. In addition, port productivity was impacted by a taxi strike and the spring tides in the last week. While Kuehne+Nagel data shows an improvement in vessel waiting times this week to less than 2 days, some vessels are waiting up to 7 days at the port.
Coega / Port Elizabeth: Vessels are waiting up to 1 day for a berth at these ports. Strong winds during the week have interrupted operations in the Eastern Cape. During stage 6 load shedding, the terminals are unable to run at full capacity.
Asia
China
Shanghai: While all other terminals have recovered from berth congestion, vessel bunching at WGQ2 has increased the waiting time to 2-3 days.
South Korea
Busan: Yard congestion is reportedly high in BNCT, with some vessels waiting up to 3 days. Additional transhipment cargo is causing some delays to vessels.
Europe
Italy
In the aftermath of an accident at the port, the union representing port workers called for a 24-hour strike on 15 September at the ports of Salerno and Naples. Nevertheless, vessel waiting times remain around 1 day. No significant impact to operations has been reported.
Poland
Gdansk: As a result of labour shortages, increased volumes and terminal constraints, congestion has increased in Gdansk. The situation remains critical in the yard, as yard density remains high. The 7-day average vessel waiting time has risen to 4 days this week. Some carriers are looking at alternative routes for cargo to/from Gdansk. Congestion is expected to impact import and export supply chains in September and October.
UK
Ports in the UK partially stopped operations due to high winds this week. The Liverpool, Grangemouth and Southampton ports suspended landside and waterside operations intermittently. The average vessel waiting times have not yet seen any impact, holding currently at 1 day.
North America
USA
Houston: Waiting time has improved in Houston with the return of a crane to service this week at Barbour's Cut. At Bayport, one crane is out of service.
Savannah: The port is recovering from hurricane disruptions and holiday closures. In addition, berth construction is causing sporadic delays. This will continue until the end of the year.
Central and Latin America
Brazil
Itajai: Due to no appointed port operator present, the Port of Itajaí is closed for operations. In June 2023, APM Terminals announced it would not renew its lease of the terminal, which expired at the end of June 2023. A new bidding process is currently underway for a 2-year temporary lease. The port will remain closed until an operator is selected.
Manaus: Draft restrictions due to low water levels in the Amazon River have reduced the capacity for ships serving the inland port to approximately 50%. The area receives little rainfall during the dry season, which usually runs from September to December. Maersk has announced a booking stop to/from Manaus from weeks 37 to 41.
Panama
Panama Canal: The situation remains largely unchanged at the canal. Draft restrictions remain in place as well as a restriction on the number of transits a day. At the moment, there are no operational disruptions for the container industry, and the situation remains under control for all containerised cargo.
Oceania
The 7-day average vessel waiting times are under 2 days for all major ports in Australia and New Zealand. No disruptions to operations have been reported.
Other Port News
Europe
Croatia
Rijeka: Construction has begun on the new Rijeka Gateway container terminal on Croatia's North Adriatic coast. APM Terminals (APMT) and Enna Logic signed a concession to design, build and operate the terminal in 2021. Together with Rijeka Gateway, they will invest over €480 million in the development.
The first phase will be operational by Q2 2025. According to APMT, once completed in 2026, the terminal will have a 680m long berth, an annual throughput of 1,055,000 TEUs and be able to serve vessels up to 24,000 TEUs. The terminal will also offer a rail connection linking Rijeka to the rest of Croatia and the Central Europe region.
