Shipping schedule updates
The following service changes and disruptions could impact upcoming shipments. You can find specific port disruptions in the link below as well.
For more information on any specific order please contact your operations representative or view status updates at myHillebrand.
South Africa-USA
Maersk AMEX service from South Africa to USA has implemented a new booking hold for the next 5 weeks to due to overcapacity and port rotation changes and a recent surge in refrigerated export cargo.
The export office is working with the carriers for manual bookings to provide future capacity and for any space availability changes that could open up.
MSC West Med direct service to Seattle reinstated
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has reinstated direct service from West Med to Seattle this week. The route will no longer trans-ship in Mexico, but will make port calls in Southern California and Oakland prior to Seattle.
New York / New Jersey Congestion
Port throughput is up 36% from last year as ocean carriers shifted cargo away from West Coast ports to East coast. Vessels are queuing outside to berth, waiting around 1-3 days for APM terminal and 1-3 weeks for PNCT terminal.
Empty export containers are blocking terminal capacity and holding up chassis for inbound container collection when truckers cannot return empty containers.
The extra volume is delaying all transactions at the port – drayage, cross-dock, line-hauls, preventing the ability to collect imports before the last free day and return empties on time.
Argentina/Chile – Cross-Andes Service Interruptions
The international pass between Mendoza and Chilean ports has been disrupted several days this week due to winter storms. The route only opened today to private vehicles and buses while survey activity is underway following an accident.
Prepare for extensive delays and additional transport costs (storage, demurrage and detention) during the winter season for this service routing.
UK Rail and Port Strikes
Union labor at the Port of Felixstowe plans to strike Sunday August 21st through August 28th, 2022. Liverpool port workers have also voted to strike but this will not commence before week 37 (September 12th, 2022).
Other southern UK ports of London Gateway and Southampton have concluded union negotiations and are expected to be operational.
There have been ongoing RMT/Network rail strikes, the next one planned for August 20th. Disruption with strikes could lead to additional costs for inland road transport, delays and potential storage costs for scheduled container deliveries or pickups at affect ports.
Plan for congestion at other operational ports in the area should ocean carriers divert cargo away from closed ports.
Southern Europe / High Temperatures forecasted
Southern Europe regions are forecasted to see high temperatures in excess of 30°C / 86°F the coming days throughout southern France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Please connect with your representative to discuss options to protect temperature-sensitive products during collection and transport.
USA Labor Negotiations – West Coast Ports and Rail
Negotiations between the US West Coast longshoremen and the terminals continue and the expiration of the contract last month has not disrupted operations at the terminal since then. We will continue to monitor and provide updates when information is available.
A rail strike was averted after a Presidential Emergency Board was instated last month. During the mandated “cooling off” period, strike action is prohibited until September 15, 2022. We’ll continue to update on any developments to negotiations.
View latest port and trade lane updates on Hillebrand’s website www.hillebrand.com/port-updates