Container imports to the US from Asia in December were 30% higher than in the same month of 2017, but the tariff-beating rush of Chinese goods, the main cause of the surge, has reportedly “overwhelmed” the two main west coast gateways.
According to PIERS data, analysed by Alphaliner, US imports from Asia exceeded 1.5m teu in December – a new high, with a new record also set by the 1.09m teu …
The post Transpacific volumes to the US hit new highs, but the future looks more uncertain appeared...
Stress testing Manston Airfield’s ability to cater for truck congestion around Dover descended into farce today.
Less than half the number of expected lorries turned up – one a rubbish-collection truck.
Some 150 trucks were reportedly set to take part in the trial, however, that number plummeted to fewer than 80, with one source noting just 72 arrived.
“If another job turns up, that will take priority for drivers,” the source told The …
Planning is underway to tackle expected chaos on UK highways in the event of a no-deal Brexit, with roads leading to the Port of Dover in Kent expected to bear the brunt of it.
Deputy chief executive of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) James Hookham said he expects the backlogs from shipments coming through Calais to face extreme delays.
“From what I am hearing, in the event of no deal, French customs …
The post ‘Operation Brock’ plans to keep freight moving at Dover if there is no Brexit...
The 2M alliance is to phase in six more ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) into its 10 Asia-Europe service strings from next March in an endeavour to improve schedule reliability, which it said had been blighted by bad weather and terminal congestion.
However, the weekly capacity offering will be unchanged due to the implementation of further super slow steaming on the tradelane.
2M partner MSC was especially critical of the part that …
Although not nearly compensating for Felixstowe’s huge loss of business due to severe disruption caused by a disastrous migration to a new terminal operating system in June, the port appears to be starting to win back some lost services.
Hapag-Lloyd has advised that its European Mediterranean Express (EMX) service, which it operates in partnership with OOCL, is to return to UK’s biggest container port with the arrival of the 4,250 teu Heron …
The post Felixstowe wins back Haag-Lloyd/OOCL service...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/felixstowe-wins-back-haag-lloydoocl-service-southampton/
London Gateway has won its second Asia-Europe deep sea service after Maersk Line announced that the 2M’s AE7/Condor service will transfer its UK port call from Felixstowe at the end of this month, as pressure on inland container supply chains continues to mount.
In a customer announcement the Danish carrier said that the last call at Felixstowe would be the MSC Diana, due to arrive on 20 November.
The following week, Maersk’s …
The post London Gateway wins 2M Asia-Europe service as Maersk tries...
Increasing numbers of UK shippers are switching their container import gateway from the congestion of Southampton and Felixstowe to Liverpool.
According to freight forwarders and importers, the Mersey port’s enlarged terminal capacity since it opened its deepwater Liverpool2 terminal in late 2016 has meant an absence of demurrage and detention charges, as well as faster truck turnaround times and available haulage.
These factors have been thrown into sharp focus since the congestion issues …
The...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/liverpool-now-shippers-choice-southampton-felixstowe-congested/
More ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) are likely to be diverted from UK ports as Felixstowe and Southampton struggle to cope with the annual peak season surge, impacting the working programmes at other North European container hubs.
One carrier source that services both ports told The Loadstar all its UK calls would be “under the microscope” this month, due to the worsening quay and landside congestion.
“We can’t afford to have our ships sitting at anchor for …
The post Ripples from...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/ripples-congestion-uk-box-hubs-now-reaching-north-europe-ports/
Chronic congestion at the UK’s two largest container ports is forcing ocean carrier planners to make further last-minute ship diversions, causing chaos to the country’s supply chain.
Landside congestion at Felixstowe and Southampton has added to the woes of the UK haulage industry, which is already suffering from an acute shortage of HGV drivers.
Even before the botched implementation of a new terminal operating system at Felixstowe in June, which was the …
The post Beleaguered UK importers...
The UK’s two biggest container ports appear to have hit crisis level.
UK retailers potentially face weeks of delays in getting their Christmas stock onto the shelves in time for the peak consumer spending rush.
Moreover, UK exporters to Asia can virtually forget about getting containers shipped in October, due to carriers blanking a huge 11 eastbound voyages in the month.
And many of the sailings that survive will be ‘cut & run’, without loading, due …
The post Felixstowe box congestion spreads...
https://theloadstar.co.uk/felixstowe-box-congestion-spreads-southampton-just-time-xmas-rush/