Kuehne+Nagel aims to provide the most up-to-date port 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.
Operational News
Africa and the Middle East
Israel
While port operations are normal at both Haifa and Ashdod, this is subject to change on short notice. Nevertheless, carriers are calling the ports and accepting bookings to Israel. Certain types of dangerous goods are restricted for both ports. Contact your local Kuehne+Nagel to learn more.
Egypt
Suez Canal: After several attacks on ships in the Red Sea, carriers announced route deviations around the Cape of Good Hope for vessels with Israeli affiliation. Recently, the risk has expanded to include all ships calling Israel, regardless of ship owner nationality.
While analysts believe this has not deterred carriers from transiting the Suez Canal yet, risk-exposed vessels could be swapped out of services or sent around southern Africa.
Tanzania
Dar es Salam: The 7-day average vessel waiting time has increased further this week to 12 days due to weather and vessel bunching. CMA CGM reports that priority berthing of various vessels under the government’s directives has contributed to delays.
There are currently 18 container ships waiting at anchor.
South Africa
Cape Town: Vessels are berthing on arrival in Cape Town. According to Transnet, Cape Town Container Terminal received seven pre-used rubber tyre gantry cranes this week ahead of the deciduous season.
Maintenance repair is being carried out on two additional cranes. Once these are operational, the port will have 29 gantry cranes available for vessel operations.
Durban: Vessel waiting time remains high at the African gateway as a result of poor productivity and equipment issues.
On a positive note, Transnet Port Terminals has reportedly secured contracts for the supply of spare parts for the next seven years. According to the port operator, this could increase the availability of straddle carriers at Pier 2 by 30% in the next two weeks.
Furthermore, as of December, tug availability in Durban has increased to an average of six tugs. This improvement and the delivery of three more second-hand tugs in the first quarter of 2024 are part of Transnet's fleet renewal programme.
"The increased tug availability is set to complement the 24-hour helicopter service, ensure a quicker turnaround of vessels at the port and allow terminal operators to implement the Container Recovery Plan at the port with agility," said Transnet.
Following industry pressure, Transnet has implemented a port recovery plan to improve productivity and cargo flow at its ports. Daily status reports of waiting container ships and containers handled are available on social media.
Asia
Indonesia
The Indonesian government announced road restrictions to take place at the end of this year. The restrictions will impact vehicles with more than 3 axles starting from 22 December 2023 until 2 January 2024. For more details, please refer to the Kuehne+Nagel advisory on the topic.
India
Chennai: The port was severely disrupted by cyclone Michaung last week. Berthing operations have resumed, but delays can be expected.
Europe
Winter weather disrupted port operations at northern European and UK ports this week. Nevertheless, the waiting time for vessels at these ports remains unaffected at below 2 days.
Belgium
On 4 December, multiple unions representing maritime workers in Belgium started industrial action, severely impacting operations at the ports of Antwerp and Bruges-Zeebrugge and delaying vessel schedules.
An agreement was reached over the weekend with pilots who are now back at work. The strikes have resulted in a backlog of cargo at the ports, which could take a week to clear.
On 11 December, PSA International advised that operations at MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) had been suspended in the morning hours due to a strike by the straddle carrier drivers, which brought container handling to a halt. The situation, however, changed with the start of the new shift.
Nevertheless, delays are still expected in both container and vessel handling operations. Additional disruption at the port could also occur in light of the industrial action taking place in the country.
Finland
Finland's Transport Workers Union (AKT) called for a 24-hour strike on 14 December. Container handling operations at the ports of Helsinki, Rauma and Kokkola, as well as truck and trailer traffic, would come to a standstill during the strike.
Poland
Gdansk: After months of congestion and delays at the Polish port, operations have normalised as a result of lower volumes in the softer period. The 7-day waiting time has improved from 6 days last week to 1 day this week. Volumes are expected to pick up once again in a few weeks.
North America
Central and Latin America
Brazil
Navegantes: The port is currently open; however, the strong current in the canal has imposed operational restrictions for both navigation and the productivity of container movements at the terminal.
Manaus: Kuehne+Nagel sources have also revealed that water levels are improving in Manaus, and carriers are starting to schedule calls to the port at the end of December.
El Salvador
Acajutla: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1 day; however, container yards are slightly congested, impacting truck turnaround times. Average truck availability due to the congestion at the port is 3-4 days.
Mexico
Inland transportation in Mexico remains challenging due to a lack of drivers, roadblocks, and port congestion, amongst others. Container movements for cargo in Ensenada, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Altamira and Veracruz are affected.
Customers are advised to plan container movements early, factoring in delays. For further details on the situation per port and recommendations for customers. please refer to Kuehne+Nagel advisory.
Lazaro Cardenas: Congestion continues to a large extent both for the entrance and within the port, which is causing delays in shipments and empty container returns. For this reason, there could be an equipment shortage and a lack of trucks.
Delays of up to 10 hours inside the port are possible. Customs processes are also being rescheduled, causing further delays in services.
Oceania
Austalia
The ongoing industrial action at DP World terminals has been extended once again. According to a statement released by DP World, the CFMMEU-MUA DIVISION has announced a series of work bans and stoppages from Monday, 11 December to Saturday, 23 December.
According to the advisory, the MUA has verbally indicated that strikes will be withdrawn on the days when local-level discussions are taking place, namely 13 December for West Swanson, Sydney and Fremantle and 14 December for Brisbane.
New Zealand
Auckland: Due to KiwiRail track and tunnel maintenance from Monday, 25 December 2023, through to Sunday, 07 January 2024, no trains will run in or out of Wellington during this period.
Unfortunately, these works will impact CentreRail services for the North Island-based customers, cancelling all services for the period. Blenheim services: While the rail won’t run, CentrePort will still move containers via Strait Shipping. Find more details in our customer advisory.
Other Port News
Asia
Vietnam
With an investment exceeding USD 5 billion dollars, the Vietnamese government plans to develop the Can Gio International Transhipment Port. When launched, this port will be able to handle ships of up to 24,000 TEU (250,000 tons) or larger, reports local media. By 2030, the facility will be capable of handling about 3.84 million TEU.
