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.
Operational News
Africa
Sudan
Although clashes and violence in multiple Sudanese cities continued this week, German container carrier Hapag-Lloyd announced it is re-opening booking to Sudan. Several carriers decided to stop shipping cargo to the country's ports when the events started in April. However, operations at Sudan Port remained largely unaffected. Today's data show the 7-Day average vessel waiting time is around four days. The port has re-opened and is returning to operation, but delays and disruptions are highly likely.
Asia
China, Taiwan and the Philippines
A tropical cyclone titled Doksuri gained strength earlier this week near the Philippines, carrying strong winds and heavy rainfall. Doksuri is forecasted to continue northwestward, towards China and Taiwan, with estimated landfall in China on Thursday, 27 July. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) categorised the cyclone under category 4, with the expected maximum wind speed reaching 241 km/h. Kuehne+Nagel sources communicated that most ports currently maintain normal operations except for Xiamen Port, where container operations will be suspended as of 14:00 on 26 July.
The 7-day average waiting time at Xiamen Port is currently 1.33 days, and the number of vessels expected to arrive on 26 July is seven vessels so far.
North America
Canada
A series of developments occurred in the past few days concerning the labour dispute on Canada's west coast. A tentative agreement was suggested by mediators last week, which was later rejected by the union, ILWU Canada. The dockworkers issued a strike notice but later removed it and returned to docks at Vancouver and Prince Rupert ports. The latest information from the union and the employers' association confirms that the tentative agreement will be put to vote by ILWU Canada members this week.
Meanwhile, operations are slowly returning to normal in Canada's two main ports. Today's 7-day average vessel waiting time at Vancouver Port is 4.92 days. Rail productivity at the port is relatively low, with dwell times stable at 3.7 days, according to the latest operational update from Hapag-Lloyd. As for Prince Rupert, the 7-day average vessel waiting time is 1.2 days, and rail dwell is presently 3.4 days.
In other news, Canada's Nova Scotia experienced heavy flooding this weekend, halting traffic along part of the Canadian National Railway's (CN) main line in the area. The Canadian media outlet Supply Professional report cited a CN spokesperson as saying, "CN crews have already restored much of the damaged infrastructure, but some repairs will be delayed until the floodwaters recede." The CN railway is one of the vital rail services that move containers to the Port of Halifax on the country's east coast.
South America
Panama
Panama Canal: New measures were introduced by the canal's authority due to the extended dry season. According to an advisory, the daily transit capacity will be adjusted to an average of 32 vessels per day starting 30 July until further notice. The distribution of the allowed vessels will be as follows: 10 vessels in the Neopanamax locks and 22 vessels in the Panamax locks. Panama Canal also warned that the daily transit capacity could be reduced further depending on the water levels of Gatun Lake.
Other Port News
Africa
South Africa
Durban: International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) was chosen to take over the development of Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2, announced Transnet this week. This terminal is considered Transnet's largest container terminal at Durban Port, handling 46% of South Africa's port traffic. A report by Container Management reveals that the development project will increase the terminal's capacity from 2m TEU to 2.8m TEU. A 25-year joint venture between ICTSI and Transnet will be created, and the company will be responsible for managing operations at DCT Pier 2. Transnet's decision was, however, not welcomed by key unions in the country. Transnet's decision to privatise Pier 2 at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) has drawn harsh criticism from both the United National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), who are both pushing for the process to be stopped.
Asia
India
Nhava Sheva: India's busiest container facility announced it integrated a new rail yard for all terminals in the port, now allowing it to handle double-stacked container freight trains. According to Container News, the port authority believes the yard will "streamline operations and enhance efficiency at the port." Between April and June of this year, the port moved 1.5 million TEU, registering a 3% year-on-year increase.
Europe
Netherlands
Rotterdam: Rotterdam Port witnessed an 8% decline in container volumes during the first six months of this year due to a drop in volumes from and to Russia. Nevertheless, the port announced moving on with its expansion plans, particularly for the Prinses Amaliahaven container terminals. The project is expected to result in a flow of 4 million TEU once it is completed.
Spain
Barcelona: During the first six months of this year, the Port of Barcelona recorded a fall of 11% in container traffic. The drop this year is attributed to the economic situation in Europe and the decline in transhipment containers, says the port's general manager José Alberto Carbonell. In the meantime, the port has been strengthening its connections with Asia. A press release issued by the port revealed it launched a logistics centre for trade with Korea designed and executed in collaboration with the Port of Busan. This makes the Port of Barcelona "Europe's best-connected port with the Asian country," said Carbonell.
North America
USA
Savannah: The Port of Savannah re-opened Berth 1 at the Garden City Terminal after completing its expansion project. According to the Journal of Commerce (JOC), the project added 1.5m TEUs to the terminal's annual capacity. The project cost nearly $250 million, says JOC, and brought the total yearly capacity of the port to 7.5m TEU (a 25% increase). In addition, the expansion now allows handling two vessels with capacities of 10,000-14,000 TEUs simultaneously or one 20,000-TEU ship.
Oakland: June data from the Port of Oakland show full container handling dropped 26.5% compared to last year. Port Technology reports that imports fell by 30% to 66,296 TEU compared to nearly 95,000 TEU in June 2022. The drop reached about 21% for full exports to about 54,000 TEU.
