Kuehne+Nagel aims to provide you with the most up-to-date information so you can make informed supply-chain related decisions. Our weekly Port Update summarises events impacting port operations this past week and what should be taken into account when planning future shipments. Additionally, we include infrastructure and volume developments, amongst other relevant general port news.
Operational News
Africa
Cameroon
Douala: Reefer congestion at the port continues, with Hapag-Lloyd announcing a reefer-booking stop until further notice. The carrier suggests booking cargo to neighbouring Kirbi, where there are no known operational challenges. Shipments on their way to Douala must be taken under tackle or discharged at an alternate port. On a positive note, the 7-day average vessel waiting time decreased at Douala to around 2 days from 5 days last week.
Sudan
Port Sudan: Port operations are almost back to normal; however, customs system issues are delaying the manual release of containers. The 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased by 1 day to 8 days this week.
Asia
Bangladesh
Chittagong: Terminal and depot operations were closed for over 50 hours last week due to cyclone Mocha. As a result, the 7-day average vessel waiting time increased to around 4.5 days this week.
Europe
Belgium
Antwerp: Construction of a temporary barge quay is complete and ready for barge operations at Europa Terminal. The new 150-metre quay will provide additional mooring space for inland services, thus allowing for continued smooth operations during renewal works. The upgrade of the Europa Terminal is expected to take 10 years to complete. However, works have been planned in three stages allowing for uninterrupted vessel calls. Antwerp's 7-day average vessel waiting time is stable at just under 1.5 days.
France
No further strikes have been announced in France. Operations at the ports have recovered with no significant vessel waiting times. According to Hapag-Lloyd, truck slots remain a challenge.
Italy
Heavy rainfall and severe flooding rendered many northern Italy roads inaccessible, such as the motorway from Bologna towards the Adriatic coast, which remains closed to date. However, the situation is expected to ease as of early next week. In the meantime, delays in transport and delivery are expected.
In addition, Italian labour unions announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on 26 May. Due to this, terminals and connected transportation activities could face challenges. PSA Terminals Genoa confirmed normal operations could not be guaranteed.
Salerno: Crane breakdowns at SCT Terminal could cause possible delays in vessel operations and proforma schedules. According to Kuhne+Nagel data, the average vessel waiting time remains around 1 day.
Portugal
Lisbon: Several 24-hour strikes affecting tug and pilot services at the port of Lisbon have been announced. Since these services are mandatory for vessel movements, operational disruptions are expected. Strikes dates are as follows:
1. From 00.00 hrs on 25 May until 24:00 hrs on 26 May
2. From 00.00 hrs on 30 May until 24.00 hrs on 1 June
3. From 00.00 hrs until 24.00 hrs on the 5, 9,12,16,19, 23, 26, and 30 June.
Turkey
Iskenderun: Hapag-Lloyd announced the resumption of deliveries to Iskenderun. According to the carrier, a feeder is in place to shuttle containers from Egypt to Iskenderun.
North America
Mexico
The Mexican government has raised the alarm about the significant truck waiting times at its border with the US. Trucks are said to be waiting for up to 27 hours due to new inspections implemented by the state of Texas at the Matamoros-Brownsville crossing. The inspections, which began on 8 May, were implemented to intercept migrant smuggling. Mexico plans to take the issue up with the facilitation committee for the free trade agreement between Mexico, Canada and the USA. The Mexican Ministry of Economy says these delays are causing million-dollar losses for companies on both sides of the border, mainly affecting perishables.
USA
Houston: Starting 2 June, BNSF will offer new intermodal service to/from the Barbours Cut Container Terminal to its Alliance, Texas Intermodal Facility, and from Barbours Cut to its Denver Intermodal Facility. According to Kuehne+Nagel, a direct service into Denver and Dallas should allow for reduced inland transit times for shipments brought into the growing port of Houston.
Earlier in May, the Port of Houston reported it had seen an increase of 17% for exports for the first four months of this year compared to last year. This is mainly as a result of an increase in resin exports. Imports for the months of January to April have increased by 3% compared with 2022. Despite volumes in April softened, the Port of Houston believes the trend remains positive.
Oceania
New Zealand
Auckland: On Monday, 22 May, infrastructure works on FX/FZ Container berths began at the Port of Auckland. For the next 16 weeks, Fergusson Terminal will operate with 2 working container berths rather than 3. The port reports that its berthage team will work closely with lines and manage windows accordingly. It forewarns that vessel schedules may change and suggests monitoring the port's website for vessel movements and cargo receiving windows.
According to carriers, supply chain disruptions from the heavy rainfall earlier this month continue to impact rail and depot operations in the upper North Island.
Lyttleton: The port continues to operate vessels on a 'first come, first served' basis due to labour shortage, negatively impacting schedules. The 7-average vessel waiting time in Lyttleton is around 2 days.
South America
Brazil
Santos: The auditors of the Federal Revenue Service will suspend their activities at the Customs Office at the Port of Santos. The strikes will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, starting 23 May. Consequently, there will be no customs inspections or cargo clearances on those days except for perishable goods, live cargo, medications, and hazardous materials. On Mondays and Fridays, judicial demands will be prioritised. Kuehne+Nagel is actively monitoring the developments to ascertain the impact on cargo.
Panama
Panama Canal: The Panama Canal Authority will adjust draft restrictions for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks to 13.56m on 24 May and 13.41m on 30 May. Should a ship arrive at the canal with a draft exceeding the limit, it will need to trim or off-load cargo before transiting. In addition, the new restrictions will affect the capacity of services transiting the canal. Higher rainfall expected in June should alleviate the situation. So far, there are no reports of delays or backlogs at the canal.
Other Port News
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
NEOM: The Port of NEOM, formally known as Duba Port, is open for operations. Located on the Red Sea, it serves as an entry point to the northwest of Saudi Arabia. The SAR 7.5 billion development includes container operations, general cargo handling, storage and passenger services. In February 2023, CMA CGM added a fixed call to NEOM to its JEDDEX service, initially on a fortnightly basis. The port expects its first container terminal will be operational by the beginning of 2025. In addition, the Port of NEOM boasts it will be one of the world's most technologically advanced, efficient and sustainable ports, operating at net carbon zero levels using 100% renewable energy sources.
North America
Canada
Vancouver: DP World has announced the completion of the Centerm Expansion Project and the 100th anniversary of the port's marine terminal operations. The C$350 million expansion project is set to increase throughput by 60%. The newly expanded terminal can now handle 1.5 million TEU, compared to a previous 900 000 TEU. Sustainability features include electrical shore power, conversion of diesel yard cranes to electric and eliminating trucks waiting at train crossings.
Oceania
Australia
Melbourne: Container volumes were down 3.9% in April compared to the same month last year at Australia's largest port. The port moved a total of 246,542 TEU in full and empty volumes.
Full overseas exports were down 3.4% compared to April 2022. Commodities below last year's volumes include miscellaneous manufactured products, pulp & wastepaper, paperboard and packaged beef. The port stated that May 2023 volumes are tracking slightly below May 2022.
Full overseas imports were down 4.8% compared to April 202. According to the results, imports of furniture, miscellaneous manufactured goods, non-electrical machinery, domestic appliances, clothing and toys, and sporting goods were below last year's volumes. Inflation has damped imports, but demand is expected to return in June/July in preparation for Christmas sales.
South America
Costa Rica
Moín: Improved operational efficiency in Moín has freed up available berths for additional service calls. As a result, two new services could be accommodated at the port this month. The maiden call of the Venezuela Line (VEL) service operated by the ZIM shipping line called the TCM on 17 May, and the South Atlantic Express (SAE) service, operated by Sealand (part of the Maersk Group) on 1 May. The intra- Caribbean VEL service will provide short transit times and seamless connections between Costa Rica, Venezuela and its main hub in Jamaica, according to APM Terminals. The SAE service provides a faster connection from Costa Rica to Honduras and Guatemala. Additionally, it offers a direct call to Port Everglades with a six-day transit time.
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