Category: Sea

The ongoing congestion and industrial action at Sydney port, which caused schedule disruption to many carriers and prompted Maersk to stop acceptance of all bookings for the port, has been withdrawn. The move to withdraw industrial action at Sydney port, will bring relief to shippers and shipp... Read more

High vessel volumes, spikes in container throughput and diminished operational capability due to COVID safe-working is creating high yard density at the port, resulting in terminal-wide congestion which means vessels are unable to complete empty loading or have diverted to other ports, not loadin... Read more

The ongoing impact of Coronavirus on the workforce and terminal operating practices at Felixstowe has reduced productivity which, with unexpected demand spikes, has resulted in high yard density impeding operations and prompted drastic action from port management.  To clear backlogs and e... Read more

Port operations have been severely diminished and inland distribution massively disrupted by the coronavirus, lockdowns and safe-working practices, which delay the unloading of containers and repositioning of equipment back to China. As European importers struggle to return empty containers to... Read more

The perfect storm threatening container haulage  There is not an industry sector that has not been impacted to some extent by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even those deemed ‘essential’ have had to battle unprecedented economic and operational challenges, but few have felt the impact quite a... Read more

As the container shipping lines continue to control capacity tightly, announcing a new series of blanked sailings in October on the Asia - Europe trade, they are preparing for their annual contract negotiations with the largest shippers on the critical route, with many anticipating higher long te... Read more

European ports used to be the world’s busiest and largest ports, but have been eclipsed by the impact of globalisation and the massive growth of container ports in Asia.  European ports still have a major role to play in global trade and, as an island nation, particularly so for the UK.... Read more

The current market conditions are a real mixed bag dependent on trade lane, mode of transport and region. Whilst some areas of global trade are experiencing extreme congestion, other areas are operating as normal for this time of year. Below is an overview of the current situation. Sea Freight... Read more

Felixstowe is experiencing very high volumes of containers throughput as hauliers are booked up from most of next week, reporting on poor loading times quay side, suggesting potential labour issues and an impact of new processes. The Port of Felixstowe is Britain’s biggest and busiest contai... Read more

Forth Ports and DP World will submit a joint freeport bid incorporating the Port of Tilbury and DP World London Gateway, to create a digitally connected multi-site free trade zone, that will focus on clean growth, while seeking to act as an innovation hub across a range of sectors. The compani... Read more

The trade press continue to report that trans-Atlantic demand is reduced by the pandemic and that carriers are adding to blanking programmes, while we have evidence of shipping lines refusing bookings due to lack of space. While blanked sailings have been reinstated on the transpacific and ext... Read more

Driven by demand surges and equipment shortages contributing to capacity constraints, container freight rates are rising to 2020 highs as carriers on the eastbound trans-Pacific implement the fourth GRI since the 1st June. Anticipating a continuation of weak demand, carriers blanked 63 sailing... Read more