Seaexplorer’s latest data illustrates just how congested today’s supply chains are, with more than 300 vessels reportedly waiting for berth spaces to become available worldwide. It seems ocean carrier networks everywhere are stretched too thin given how many vessels and boxes are tied up currently. For a more in-depth outlook on the performance of popular U.S. gateways like LA/LB, check out the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s weekly report.
The situation in South China doesn’t seem to be getting any better either as more carriers continue to avoid ports in the area in an effort to protect schedule reliability. According to Tradewinds, “AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest container line, said on Thursday that it expects delays at Yantian Port in Shenzhen have increased by a further two days to 16 days.”
Because of the impact these delays have had on cargo flow, major liners like CMA CGM and ONE are now introducing congestion surcharges on top of escalating container costs. Many forwarders are also beginning to note how carrier delays and congestion at Yantian have “increased trucking demand in China as shippers look to ship cargo through other ports including Shanghai and Ningbo,” according to JOC. While this chaos hasn’t quite reached the air cargo sector yet, some industry professionals feel it’s only a matter of time before companies start to look to air for additional space.
Then, you have HMM — the latest victim in a string of cyberattacks that have been heavily contributing to the severe disruptions in international shipping. To read more about this week’s top shipping news, check out the following article highlights:
