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 considered when planning future shipments. Additionally, we include infrastructure and volume developments, amongst other relevant general port news.
Operational News
Africa
Cameroon
Douala: The 7-day average vessel waiting time in Douala has increased to over 3 days this week. Reefer congestion continues, and carriers' reefer booking stops still hold.
South Africa
Durban: The Container Corridor between the port of Durban and the province of Gauteng area suffered a high level of cable theft, reducing the rail line capacity to 25% last week. Transnet Freight Rail has replaced and repaired some parts of the line. As a result of the disruption, 58 trains were either stuck on the line or in staging yards, according to the operator. At the port of Durban, the 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased this week from around 2.5 days to just over 3 days.
Sudan
Port Sudan: Maersk announced last week it has resumed booking acceptance to Sudan. The 7-day average vessel waiting time has improved from almost 7 days last week to around 4.5 days this week. Hapag-Lloyd, the other carrier to announce a booking stop, has not yet lifted its booking restriction to Sudan.
Tanzania
Zanzibar: Maersk has lifted its booking suspension to Zanzibar. It will now accept bookings for its 25Z service – Kisiwa Express operating between Mombasa and Zanzibar. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is 7.4 days, an improvement from almost 12 days last week.
Asia
Bangladesh
Chittagong: The average 7-day vessel waiting time has steadily increased from 1 day at the beginning of May to around 4 days this week. This results from increased congestion after a cyclone closed the port 2 weeks ago. The Chittagong Port Authority is trying to minimise this dwell time as much as possible, according to Kuehne+Nagel.
China
Weather continues to force temporary port closures in China, causing minor congestion. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 days at Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Qingdao.
Philippines
Manila: The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) will implement Autosweep to improve the gate process of trucks transacting with the port. Autosweep tags will be installed on trucks which will be read by RFID scanners at the gates and match the truck plates resulting in a faster and smoother gate process.
Europe
Northern European ports operated partially or closed their gates on Monday due to a public holiday. The 7-day average vessel waiting time remains unaffected at under 2 days for Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam and Antwerp.
France
Workers at Le Havre, Rouen, and Fos-sur-Mer ports will stage a new strike action from 6 to 8 June. Cargo handling operations at the ports are likely to be disrupted and delayed as follows:
• Le Havre: A 4-hour shutdown is scheduled for 6, 7 and 8 June.
• Rouen: A 4-hour shutdown is scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on 6, 7 and 8 June.
• Fos-sur-Mer: A 4-hour shutdown is scheduled from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on 6, 7 and 8 June.
Delays in container withdrawals and returns could lead to additional costs and shift shipping and delivery schedules, advises Kuehne=Nagel.
Germany
Hamburg: Metrans has reported rail operational issues at the terminals in Hamburg. Cumulative delays reached 24 hours at the end of last week and are expected to increase further due to technical problems, prolonged train handling, lockouts, and public holidays. In addition, the Hamburg Port Authority suspended operations for track repairs and software replacement from Saturday, 27 May, 01:00 p.m. to Tuesday, 30 May, 04:00 p.m.
Italy
Genoa: Rail connections in the area are facing challenges which could last until 5 June. Due to ongoing works on the railways between Genoa PSA Genoa Prà Terminal and Milano Melzo and the nationwide strike on 26 May, multiple trains are being cancelled. This is leading to congestion and delays, which are expected to last till the beginning of week 23, considering a National Holiday is also on 2 June.
The Bologna railway junction still faces issues caused by floods affecting rail corridors, including those over Genoa. Flooding also rendered many parts of the region inaccessible, such as the motorway from Bologna towards the Adriatic coast.
Salerno: Hapag-Lloyd reports that crane breakdowns at SCT Terminal could cause delays in vessel operations or their proforma schedules.
Venice: According to Hapag-Lloyd Venezia VECON Terminal's reefer area is currently congested. As a result, the terminal is only accepting reefer cargo for the first vessel.
Portugal
The National Union of Port Administration Workers (SNTAP) called off multiple strikes planned for May and June at the 11th hour. This followed discussions between the parties last week regarding a wage proposal promised in January.
Turkey
Iskenderun: Repairs to the port continue. According to CMA CGM, the port is handling one vessel at a time at a rate of 25 moves/hour. Two CMA services, WEMED and GTL, began calling Iskenderun weekly with agreed windows. The 7-day average vessel waiting time increased to 2.67 days from 2 days last week.
Mersin: Waiting time remains stable at the port of Mersin at 3.64 days this week. Yards remain highly congested. Berthing windows have been suspended, and there are no longer move count restrictions. However, vessel waiting times can vary depending on size, number of moves and line-up. Vessels carrying aid cargo are being prioritised.
North America
Canada
Vancouver: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2 .29 days this week, an increase of half a day compared to last week. Yard utilisation is high at Deltaport and Centerm terminals. Rail congestion is ongoing, but efforts are being made to reduce congestion. Some cargo will be trucked instead of railed until the end of May.
USA
Charleston: Vessels are being delayed by around 2 days at the port due to dredging works and the closure of one berth. Works are expected to be completed in the first week of June.
Houston: On 5 June, rail repairs at T5 will begin, and the dock will be closed. The restoration is expected to take 5-6 days.
Savannah: Construction at the port and tide levels are sporadically impacting waiting times. Construction should be complete by the end of this year. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.22 days.
South America
Brazil
Santos
Customs officers went on strike/slow down for three days last week. The strikes have not impacted the 7-day average vessel waiting time which remains at 1.5 days.
Other Port News
Africa
Tanzania
Dar es Salaam: The government of Tanzania has begun the process to privatise operations at Dar es Salaam. According to Container News, it is looking for an international company with an established network and experience to run the terminal. The company should meet international standards to improve the competitiveness of the port.
Zanzibar: MSC-owned Africa Global Logistics (AGL) has signed a contract to manage Malindi Container Terminal on Zanzibar. AGL managing director Tony Stenning said, "AGL is poised to revolutionise operations at the Malindi Container Terminal (MCT). We'll be implementing streamlined processes, leveraging cutting-edge technologies, and optimising cargo handling to maximise efficiency and productivity." AGL committed to modernising the facility and constructing a depot zone outside the port to alleviate congestion.
In conjunction with improvement news, Maersk announced adding another feeder on the NEW 26Z service – the Korosho Express calling between Zanzibar and Mombasa. Two vessels on this service will call Mombasa terminal at a 42-day frequency each, with berthing spaced 21 days apart.
Asia
India
Jawaharlal Nehru: The government of India has set the ambition to develop the port into a fully smart port within a year, reported the Economic Times. The development entails comprehensive digitalisation and connectivity enhancement within the facility, optimising operations, streamlining processes and improving efficiency. The transformation of Jawaharlal Nehru is part of India's larger plan to modify all major ports to smart ports in the future.
Malaysia
Port Klang: The development of a fourth terminal at Carey Island Port will go ahead following the completion of a feasibility study. The new terminal will comprise of both container and conventional berths, reports Seatrade Maritime. Once completed, the container handling capacity will be 30 million TEU and 20 million tons of conventional cargo.
Dredging and reclamation of land need to be completed before construction can begin. The Port Klang Authority said it plans for work to start in 2025 and spaced over 35 years. The project costing RM28 billion, also includes investments in smart technology, digitalisation and sustainability.
South America
Brazil
Rio Grande: For January to April 2023, Rio Grande has reported improved operating results. The container terminal handled 198,857 TEU, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year. In January, the port also hit a productivity milestone of 42 containers an hour, handling 1,567 containers on the Mediterranean Express.
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