Middle East |
Red Sea Basin Countries |
Red Sea Routes – Update March |
18 March 2024 - The Red Sea crisis continues to impact ocean container routing. Major shippers like Hapag Lloyd, Maersk, CMA CGM have either suspended Suez Canal routings, opting for detours via South Africa or are assessing the situation for each vessel before transit. This situation results in unpredictability of shipping routes at booking, as last-minute routing decisions cannot be anticipated or communicated in advance. This uncertainty affects cargo bookings, as a booking with a carrier opting for the Suez route might still end up passing via the Cape of Good Hope. As a result of this variability, the charges imposed by carriers apply to all cargoes, regardless of the vessel's actual routing. |
Red Sea Routes – Update March |
Middle East • Red Sea Basin Countries • 18 March 2024 - The Red Sea crisis continues to impact ocean container routing. Major shippers like Hapag Lloyd, Maersk, CMA CGM have either suspended Suez Canal routings, opting for detours via South Africa or are assessing the situation for each vessel before transit. This situation results in unpredictability of shipping routes at booking, as last-minute routing decisions cannot be anticipated or communicated in advance. This uncertainty affects cargo bookings, as a booking with a carrier opting for the Suez route might still end up passing via the Cape of Good Hope. As a result of this variability, the charges imposed by carriers apply to all cargoes, regardless of the vessel's actual routing. |
Central America |
Panama |
Panama Canal Low Water Levels |
18 Mar 2024 - Low water level conditions on Gatun Lake have continued to impact regular operations through the Panama Canal. Draught restrictions have increased, limiting the capacity of containers ships can carry when transiting the canals, and there are reduced limits on how many vessels can transit the locks each day. Additional carrier surcharges expected. |
Panama Canal Low Water Levels |
Central America • Panama • 18 Mar 2024 - Low water level conditions on Gatun Lake have continued to impact regular operations through the Panama Canal. Draught restrictions have increased, limiting the capacity of containers ships can carry when transiting the canals, and there are reduced limits on how many vessels can transit the locks each day. Additional carrier surcharges expected. |
North America |
US |
New York / New Jersey |
18 Mar 2024 - Several terminals are closed for a local union holiday, Jackie Gleason Day March 18, 2024. Congestion at PNCT terminals. APM and GCT terminals require mandatory appointments for picking up imports and terminating empty containers. Expect regional closures at delivery warehouse on March 29, 2024 for Good Friday. Delays for rail loadings of up to 5 days after vessel discharge for containers arriving New York/New Jersey for rail destinations in Midwest and California. |
New York / New Jersey |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - Several terminals are closed for a local union holiday, Jackie Gleason Day March 18, 2024. Congestion at PNCT terminals. APM and GCT terminals require mandatory appointments for picking up imports and terminating empty containers. Expect regional closures at delivery warehouse on March 29, 2024 for Good Friday. Delays for rail loadings of up to 5 days after vessel discharge for containers arriving New York/New Jersey for rail destinations in Midwest and California. |
Europe |
Finland |
Finland Ports |
11 Mar 2024 - The Finnish Transport Workers Union (AKT) started a nationwide stevedores strike at all Finnish ports from 6AM local time on March 11, 2024. The strike has stopped all container terminal and depot operations and is expected to last until Monday March 25, 2024 at 6AM local time. |
Finland Ports |
Europe • Finland • 11 Mar 2024 - The Finnish Transport Workers Union (AKT) started a nationwide stevedores strike at all Finnish ports from 6AM local time on March 11, 2024. The strike has stopped all container terminal and depot operations and is expected to last until Monday March 25, 2024 at 6AM local time. |
North America |
US |
Miami / Port Everglades |
18 Mar 2024 - Congestion at SFCT terminals and POMTOC, split chassis likely. Appointment delays. |
Miami / Port Everglades |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - Congestion at SFCT terminals and POMTOC, split chassis likely. Appointment delays. |
North America |
US |
Houston |
18 Mar 2024 - Vessel waiting time up to 3 days for Barbour's Cut and Bayport terminals. Vessel arrival schedules delayed from bad weather in Gulf of Mexico. Some yard congestion related to vessels arriving at the same time. larger vessel arrivals are impacting congestion at terminals. Limited equipment availability. |
Houston |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - Vessel waiting time up to 3 days for Barbour's Cut and Bayport terminals. Vessel arrival schedules delayed from bad weather in Gulf of Mexico. Some yard congestion related to vessels arriving at the same time. larger vessel arrivals are impacting congestion at terminals. Limited equipment availability. |
North America |
US |
Seattle / Tacoma |
18 Mar 2024 - Port congestion and wait times at Seattle and Tacoma terminals. Offloaded containers going into undeliverable areas for 2-4 days. Long wait times for queuing at Terminal 5 when vessels arrive and discharge. Terminal 18 closed Fridays through March and April 1, 2024. |
Seattle / Tacoma |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - Port congestion and wait times at Seattle and Tacoma terminals. Offloaded containers going into undeliverable areas for 2-4 days. Long wait times for queuing at Terminal 5 when vessels arrive and discharge. Terminal 18 closed Fridays through March and April 1, 2024. |
North America |
US |
Oakland |
18 Mar 2024 - Average wait time for vessels up to 4 days at OICT and 1 day at Trapac. Import deliveries averaging up to 6 days at OICT and 4 days at TraPac. Equipment shortages, including chassis. |
Oakland |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - Average wait time for vessels up to 4 days at OICT and 1 day at Trapac. Import deliveries averaging up to 6 days at OICT and 4 days at TraPac. Equipment shortages, including chassis. |
North America |
US |
Los Angeles / Long Beach |
18 Mar 2024 - West Basin slowdown as vessels arrive but are not being released quickly. 18 vessels scheduled for this week. Challenges with time windows for terminal appointments once secured. Carriers terminating MSC containers must also pick up an import to secure an appointment. Limited chassis equipment. |
Los Angeles / Long Beach |
North America • US • 18 Mar 2024 - West Basin slowdown as vessels arrive but are not being released quickly. 18 vessels scheduled for this week. Challenges with time windows for terminal appointments once secured. Carriers terminating MSC containers must also pick up an import to secure an appointment. Limited chassis equipment. |
Europe |
Italy |
Italy - General Strike |
8 March 2024 - Italian trade unions (SLAI Cobas, USB, ADL COBAS, USI, CUB) have announced a 24 hour national strike for March 8, 2024. This strike will affect public and private sector workers. |
Italy - General Strike |
Europe • Italy • 8 March 2024 - Italian trade unions (SLAI Cobas, USB, ADL COBAS, USI, CUB) have announced a 24 hour national strike for March 8, 2024. This strike will affect public and private sector workers. |
Europe |
France |
France - port strikes |
9 Feb 2024 - The French National Federation of ports and docks have called for a new series of 24 hour strikes for February 16, 22, and 27, 2024. This follows disruptions from farmworkers road blockades and earlier strikes this month (Feb 5, 7, 9, 2024). |
France - port strikes |
Europe • France • 9 Feb 2024 - The French National Federation of ports and docks have called for a new series of 24 hour strikes for February 16, 22, and 27, 2024. This follows disruptions from farmworkers road blockades and earlier strikes this month (Feb 5, 7, 9, 2024). |
Europe |
Spain |
Spain - Road transport disruption from protests |
7 Feb 2024 - Road transport on major motorways and distribution hubs have been blocked by farm workers protesting new green regulations, taxes, and pricing pressures. Demonstrations are planned to continue through the month of February in different locations throughout Spain. Be prepared for subsequent disruption in the scheduling of winery pickups and container transport by region. |
Spain - Road transport disruption from protests |
Europe • Spain • 7 Feb 2024 - Road transport on major motorways and distribution hubs have been blocked by farm workers protesting new green regulations, taxes, and pricing pressures. Demonstrations are planned to continue through the month of February in different locations throughout Spain. Be prepared for subsequent disruption in the scheduling of winery pickups and container transport by region. |
Oceania |
Australia |
Australia - DP Terminal Industrial action extended |
3 Jan 2024 - DP Terminals operations at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle continue to see delays from ongoing industrial action work stoppages for quayside, receiving and delivery activities. The protected industrial action was extended again from December 18, 2023 to January 8, 2024. |
Australia - DP Terminal Industrial action extended |
Oceania • Australia • 3 Jan 2024 - DP Terminals operations at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle continue to see delays from ongoing industrial action work stoppages for quayside, receiving and delivery activities. The protected industrial action was extended again from December 18, 2023 to January 8, 2024. |
Middle East |
Red Sea Basin Countries |
Red Sea Routes - Update |
28 Dec 2023 - The Red Sea region presents ongoing safety challenges for vessels, as an example the MSC United VIII was targeted by a missile on December 26. In response, many ships are being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, affecting over 150 vessels and 2 million TEUs of capacity. This has led to supply and demand imbalances globally. Shipping lines invoked Force Majeure clauses and implemented additional charges on freight rates and contracts. Hillebrand Gori will introduce an Emergency Cost Recovery Surcharge from January 1, 2024, to cover these extra costs. We all remain committed to securing shipping space and containers, ensuring operational continuity without compromising security. Customers can access shipment information via myhillebrandgori.com. |
Red Sea Routes - Update |
Middle East • Red Sea Basin Countries • 28 Dec 2023 - The Red Sea region presents ongoing safety challenges for vessels, as an example the MSC United VIII was targeted by a missile on December 26. In response, many ships are being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope, affecting over 150 vessels and 2 million TEUs of capacity. This has led to supply and demand imbalances globally. Shipping lines invoked Force Majeure clauses and implemented additional charges on freight rates and contracts. Hillebrand Gori will introduce an Emergency Cost Recovery Surcharge from January 1, 2024, to cover these extra costs. We all remain committed to securing shipping space and containers, ensuring operational continuity without compromising security. Customers can access shipment information via myhillebrandgori.com. |
North America |
Canada |
Halifax |
27 Dec 2023 - Minimal delays for arriving vessels, but import dwell time is around 7 days at the terminals. Labor availability is contributing to the delays. |
Halifax |
North America • Canada • 27 Dec 2023 - Minimal delays for arriving vessels, but import dwell time is around 7 days at the terminals. Labor availability is contributing to the delays. |
Middle East |
Red Sea Basin Countries |
Red Sea Routes |
18 Dec 2023 - Ocean carriers are suspending services via the Red Sea and Suez Canal after recent developments. Delays or diversions around the Cape of Good Hope will significantly impact transit times between Asia and Europe and are expected to have a ripple effect on equipment circulation and schedules on other routes. Carriers had recently increased Red Sea routing due to congestion at the Panama Canal. |
Red Sea Routes |
Middle East • Red Sea Basin Countries • 18 Dec 2023 - Ocean carriers are suspending services via the Red Sea and Suez Canal after recent developments. Delays or diversions around the Cape of Good Hope will significantly impact transit times between Asia and Europe and are expected to have a ripple effect on equipment circulation and schedules on other routes. Carriers had recently increased Red Sea routing due to congestion at the Panama Canal. |
Europe |
France |
Fos sur Mer |
1 Dec 2023 - Dockworkers unions have announced strike dates and times as follows: Dec 1, 2023 - 4 hour strike, Dec 4, 2023 - 4 hour strike, Dec 14, 2023 - 24 hour strike, Dec 21, 2023 - 24 hour strike. |
Fos sur Mer |
Europe • France • 1 Dec 2023 - Dockworkers unions have announced strike dates and times as follows: Dec 1, 2023 - 4 hour strike, Dec 4, 2023 - 4 hour strike, Dec 14, 2023 - 24 hour strike, Dec 21, 2023 - 24 hour strike. |
Africa |
South Africa |
Cape Town |
29 Nov 2023 - Cape Town continues to experience congestion and intermittent weather delays due to seasonal high wind conditions. |
Cape Town |
Africa • South Africa • 29 Nov 2023 - Cape Town continues to experience congestion and intermittent weather delays due to seasonal high wind conditions. |
Central America |
Mexico |
Mexico port delays |
29 Nov 2023 - Port congestion at Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Altamira and Veracruz due to bad weather conditions. |
Mexico port delays |
Central America • Mexico • 29 Nov 2023 - Port congestion at Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Altamira and Veracruz due to bad weather conditions. |
South America |
Argentina |
Mendoza (cross-Andes transport) |
17 Nov 2023 - The international pass between Mendoza and the Chilean ports of San Antonio and Valparaiso has closed again due to bad weather and transit has been completely stopped. Plan for residual delays and congestion backlogs that will increase both overall transit times and unplanned charges for late/early arrival costs, storage, and demurrage/detention. |
Mendoza (cross-Andes transport) |
South America • Argentina • 17 Nov 2023 - The international pass between Mendoza and the Chilean ports of San Antonio and Valparaiso has closed again due to bad weather and transit has been completely stopped. Plan for residual delays and congestion backlogs that will increase both overall transit times and unplanned charges for late/early arrival costs, storage, and demurrage/detention. |