23rd August 2022
Last week we made special mention of the MSC Aino’s record volumes. This week we raised a glass when hearing that TPT had also loaded a reputable 1911 FEU containers aboard vessel MSC Rayshmi with the largest consignment of 899 FEU containers loaded in Ngqura, 636 FEU containers in Durban and 376 FEU containers in Cape Town.
On the MSC Aino, 18% of those containers were shipped by GoReefers Clients, and 20% on the MSC Rayshmi…what a season!
Local Logistics & Freight News
We received notice of a national shutdown planned for August 24 as the workers’ response to the current economic status quo and the alleged “ongoing class warfare” levelled against them by both public- and private-sector employers. We are all hoping that we do not see the violence and destruction of last year, so will be monitoring the situation. Your CSM or Log manager will be in touch as we are made aware of any new developments.
International Logistics & Freight News
For the most part, the shipment delays have been resolved, however please keep in contact with your Log Manager or CSM to monitor the situation.
United Kingdom: Felixstowe
Strike action this time around is not just a local phenomenon, as the UK’s Felixstowe dockworkers have also downed tools for an 8 day strike. This strike is in response to the Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company hitting a deadlock after it offered a 7% wage increase, which the union found was unacceptable in light of the terminal’s high profits and dividends declared to shareholders in recent years. The increase is also below the real inflation rate of 11.8% and the workers feel that they had already been placed under strain after accepting a 1.4% below-inflation pay hike in 2021.
United Kingdom – London Gateway
Rail capacity has been reduced due to RMT Union strikes experienced on the 27th and 30th of July. Further strikes announced for the 18th and 20th of August. Trucking capacity remains stable and has covered for the low rail capacity.
Vacation period and increasing covid cases causing a drop in gang availability, however labour remains stable.
Vessel berthing time is at 1 day
Canada
As you are all too familiar with, the ongoing Port congestion at all Canadian Ports continues to deteriorate with no improvement in site for the short term. Container dwell times are reaching record levels at several ports. The average dwell time at Canadian ports today is at 9.52 days. Vancouver 5.9 days Prince Rupert 4.8 days Montreal 9.3 days Saint John 9.7 days Halifax 17.9 days We have been advised by several carriers now that CN RAIL will be taking steps to restore some fluidity in the network with the establishment of multiple relief container yards to which containers can be diverted. The selection of containers to be moved to these relief yards remains solely at the discretion of the rail carrier. As of Tuesday, August 9th, CN Rail has started to apply a fee to shuttle containers over to these nominated relief yards and diversion fees have been announced at destination. No diversion plan has yet been announced for Vancouver In addition to diversion fees, we have been advised that storage FREE TIME at the above facilities has been reduced to 1 free day.
Germany
Impact from strike action in mid July is still being felt in terms of congestion.
No further strike action to occur until the 26th of August, as a settlement was reached in Hamburg regional labour court. The ongoing tariff dispute has led to dockers performing fewer extra shifts and there is a decline in volunteer work causing less labour availability.
Berthing delays in Hamburg have decreased to 9 days.
Antwerp
Labour availability at PSA remains stable.
Vessel berth waiting times are at 5 days.
Rotterdam
Vessel berth waiting times are at 5 days.
Labour availability at Rotterdam World Gateway and Europe Container Terminals have slightly reduced as the summer and school holiday periods come into effect. Holiday workers have been deployed.
Terminals are facing long dwell times for transhipment and import cargo.
Spain
High cargo volumes at the Barcelona and Valencia CFS.
Stevedore manpower shortages in Valencia have resulted in berth congestion.
Vessel berthing delays are 1 day in both Barcelona and Valencia.
High volumes at the CFS; however, operations are proceeding as normal.
Portugal
Yard construction has led to only one vessel per service open for reception.
National strikes announced to effect port operations sporadically throughout August.
Please reach out to the team for the EU Duty deadline vessels and Good luck!
Till next week folks…
