Shipping Update April 28, 2021
Below you will find the latest update on operational and seasonal conditions that are likely to affect the movement of shipments in or out of US / Canadian ports.
North America
For port operations, intermodal and domestic, contact us to be added to the detailed report distribution. New York, Savannah, Los Angeles / Long Beach and Oakland are seeing the most delays for pickups of containers and equipment. The US handled 3.02M TEU (20 foot equivalent unit) ocean imports in March, up 50.5% from last year and up 36.9% from March 2019 according to Panjiva market data.
Canada
Longshoremen at the Port of Montreal started an indefinite strike on April 27, 2021. Ocean carriers have not announced contingency arrangements as the government may step in to end the work stoppage.
South America
Buenos Aires – Expect residual delays from the trucker blockage at terminals T4 (APM) and TRP from April 8th – 20th.
Chilean ports – Dockworkers held a 48 hours strike at all Chilean ports, ending this morning. Plan on residual delays.
Trans-Andes – plan for weather delays from May – Sept for transport between Mendoza and Chilean ports.
Oceania
Due to ongoing port congestion on the US West Coast, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has modified their Ocean Loop 1 service, changing from a weekly port calls to fortnightly (every two weeks) to improve schedule reliability. For imports alternative shipping lines and longer lead times should be considered.
Europe
Demand for bookings from Europe to North America remains extremely strong. Ocean carriers are facing a backlog of bookings, in the thousands, across Europe and in some cases are placing restrictions or holds on new bookings or skipping scheduled port calls on various loops. The congestion at ports, container availability (impacted in this region more heavily by the recent Suez Canal delays), and delays continue. Rate levels are extremely high and bunker (fuel) costs are increasing.
For more information or origins not listed, please reach out to your Hillebrand representative to discuss the best possible transport arrangements for your upcoming bookings, warehousing, insurance, and customs compliance needs.