AFRICA South Africa Cape Town>>After an extended strike that commenced on 6 October by rail and port workers in South Africa, the union with the largest workers' representation United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UNTU) reached a deal on 17 October with the employer Transnet, South Africa’s prime port and rail operator. Shortly after, another agreement followed by the second largest union SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) bringing strike action in the country to an end. ASIA China Busan>>According to the Busan Port Authority, the total volume of containers handled by the Port of Busan from January to September decreased by 2.6% year-on-year to almost 16.6m TEU. Import and export cargo decreased by 1.0% to around 7.7m TEU, and trans-shipment cargo decreased by 3.9% reaching about 8.8m TEU. Ningbo-Zhoushan>>COVID-19 protective measures were imposed in parts of the Ningbo-Zhoushan port complex on 14 October, with ports in the Beilun district being the most affected. However, the port remained operational but experienced some delays. Operations at 12 yards, nine warehouses and sixteen stockyards, according to Seatrade Maritime News. Ningbo-Zhoushan handled 26.3m TEU during the first three quarters of the year marking an increase of almost 10% compared to 2021. Japan Tokyo>>The total volume of foreign and domestic trade cargo handled by the Port of Tokyo decreased by 1.7% year-on-year to around 41m tonnes. In terms of containerised foreign trade, the port witnessed an increase of 1.3% compared to last year handling almost 2.1m TEU. The port also witnessed a decrease in port calls by 6.6% with a total of 2,038 calls during the period. EUROPE Belgium Antwerp>>Europe’s second largest port, Antwerp-Bruges Port, handled 10.2m TEU through the first nine months of the year marking a drop of 5% compared to the same period last year. “The negative trend in the container segment,..., is likely to continue towards the end of the year,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, in a statement. Container throughput at the port also registered a decline of 8.8% in tonnes in the first nine months of the year. According to the port’s statement, the decline is the result of the ongoing disruption of container logistics and the effects of the conflict in Ukraine. Germany Hamburg>>As of 1 November, the Port of Hamburg will start using feeder ships to move containers between major terminals in an attempt to reduce truck journeys at the port. Danish shipping firm Unifeeder, together with software company DIHLA, will cooperate to realise this project, which is expected to shorten waiting times and reduce carbon emissions. Container feeder ships will transfer boxes between the HHLA terminals CTA, CTT and CTB, and Eurogate. The Süd-West Terminal will be added to the served terminals later. Netherlands Rotterdam>>Port of Rotterdam registered a 4.4% decrease in container volumes during the first nine months of 2022 handling around 5.7m TEU. The port said that traffic between Russia and Rotterdam came to a standstill due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and this played a significant role in the drop witnessed so far. The high utilisation of terminal capacity, along with delays in ship arrival times, are causes of continued disruption at the port. UK The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) announced strike action against 14 train-operating companies to take place in early November after no new offer on pay, job security and working conditions was presented by the rail industry body. Members will walk out on 3, 5 and 7 November. Liverpool>>A new strike started at the Port of Liverpool on Monday 24 October and is expected to continue until 7 November. Talks between Unite, the labour union representing the workers, and port operators Peel Ports failed again pushing nearly 600 workers to walk out for the third time. The first strike at the Port of Liverpool took place in mid-September and lasted for approximately two weeks. NORTH AMERICA USA Charleston>>The channel-deepening project at the Port of Charleston approaches completion enabling the port to receive 20,000-TEU ships. With the channel deepened to 52 feet (15.8 meters), Charleston becomes one of the deepest harbours on the East Coast. In addition, the South Carolina Ports Authority allocated $550m for developing rail and barge projects that will serve Charleston Port. The project called Navy Base Intermodal Facility will be located 1.6 kilometres from the Leatherman Terminal and is expected to be ready by July 2025. Houston>>Port Houston on the U.S. Gulf Coast recorded a strong month in September marking the second-biggest month for container trade. The port handled around 353,000 TEU last month registering a 26% growth compared to September 2021. “The increase in volume is largely due to demand for imported goods and a more efficient gateway, and loaded import container volume was up 31% in September over the same month last year,” Port Houston said in an announcement. Los Angeles-Long Beach>>In comparison to the high numbers in May of this year, imports at the Port of Los Angeles registered a steep 27% fall in September, during which it handled around 342,000 TEU. Similarly, Los Angeles Port reported imports of about 343,000 TEU in September, down 26.6% compared to last year. Analysts believe the significant drop in demand for products is mainly caused by retailers overstocking earlier this year in anticipation of shipping disruption. In the meantime, the LA-LB port complex is to receive $840m in funding for infrastructure developments. This funding comes as part of a general port improvement plan set by the Government of California with an investment of $1.2m. Sources: Seatrade Maritime News, Lloyd’s List, Freight Waves, Container News, Container Management, Reuters, Shipping Watch, Splash247, JOC, G-Captain, Ports of Europe, Daily Cargo, Port of Antwerp