Update: 12.07.2024
Severe storms bringing gale-force winds and high swells have forced vessels sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to take shelter this week.
The sailing pause of these ships could add 3-5 days to their transit times and increase congestion at destination ports.
For vessels calling at South African ports, carriers have begun to announce revised ETA's on some services.
In an advisory, Maersk announced revised ETAs for three vessels on its MESAWA service, which it operates together with CMA CGM.
The CMA CGM LEBU, will omit its call in Cape Town and bring forward its calls in Coega and Jebel Ali.
CMA CGM MASAI MARA and CMA CGM KRIBI will delay their calls in South Africa and Jebel Ali by a week.
Incidents at Sea
On Tuesday, July 9, the CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN lost 44 containers at sea due to sudden winds. CMA CGM reports 30 containers were reported damaged on the vessel.
Although CMA CGM advised the ship would sail to Cape Town, seaexplorer data shows it is currently waiting in Algoa Bay outside Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Port, Road and Rail Closures in Cape Town
Local news outlet News24 reported yesterday that the Cape Town Container Terminal was still experiencing high swells and remains windbound.
In addition, extensive flooding in Cape Town and surrounding areas has closed passenger rail lines and several roads. It is not yet clear whether freight rail has been affected.
The Western Cape, South Africa, is prone to cold fronts in the winter season. However, it is unusual for multiple storms to hit the area in a short space of time.
According to the South African Weather Service, more rainfall is expected in Cape Town this weekend.
Kuehne+Nagel will follow the situation closely and provide updates as soon as possible.
Original article: 08.07.2024
According to Maersk, extreme climatic conditions will affect the South African ports in the next few days. Strong winds, mostly from the West and Northwest, are expected until Wednesday at least.
The container facilities in Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth will be affected at different times and with different intensities.
Strong winds are expected today in Durban, on the East Coast of South Africa, with gusts reaching 26 knots. High swells are forecast for Monday and Tuesday this week.
The Port of Cape Town will be more exposed to high winds and strong gusts during the week. The 8, 9, and 10 July are expected to be more critical, with swells of around 5 meters until Thursday. The situation will improve on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Port Elizabeth/Ngqura will also be seriously affected this week: here, high winds and strong gusts are expected from Monday. High swells will remain problematic until Thursday morning. From Sunday evening, winds are expected to pick up again.
Due to the extreme weather marine traffic and port operations will be affected. Delays to vessel schedules and port operations can be expected.
