Ports around the world were able to maintain operations this week despite risks such as storms, protests, and maritime accidents, resulting in improved average wait times globally.
Ports in Europe continued to recover from congestion and elevated average wait times following protests and industrial action. The area is still at risk of further strikes, especially ports in Portugal which are facing nationwide worker strikes.
The region also experienced several cargo ship accidents, including a fire on the Ro-Ro vessel “Finwave” in the English Channel on November 12, strong winds toppling 19 containers from the MSC “Mariagrazia” at the Port of Genoa, Italy, on November 9, and the collision with several quays by the “BYD Jinan” at the Port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on November 10.
A maritime accident also occurred in Southeast Asia, with a fire breaking out on the MSC “Kyparissia” while the vessel was docked at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, on November 7. The incident led to three fatalities and three injuries.
The Middle East saw signs of maritime recovery as carriers consider returning to Red Sea shipping routes following the successful transit of the ultra large CMA CGM “Benjamin Franklin” through the Suez Canal without attack. The successful transit will likely encourage other carriers to reconsider rerouting ships from the Red Sea around southern Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
Ports in Asia were able to avoid significant disruptions from the passage of tropical storm Fung-Wong. The most affected port was the Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
In the Americas, protests and blockades have disrupted ports in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. The ports of Mobile, Seattle, and Vancouver are facing the highest wait times of North American ports.
Regional Summaries
Africa
Ongoing infrastructure improvements at multiple ports in Africa continue to drive up the average wait times across the region. Average wait times have continued to rise at the Port of Beira, Mozambique, currently standing at 15.4 days according to data from Everstream Analytics.
Wait times remained high at the Port of Conakry, Guinea, with averages of 17 days, according to Everstream Analytics. Kuehne + Nagel reports that the max wait time for anchored vessels could be as high as 30 days. The port is planning further dredging in November.
Following a period of civil unrest and a network outage, average wait times have increased to 6.7 days at the Port of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania according to Kuehne + Nagel. The port expects elevated wait times associated with civil unrest to ease by late December.
The Port of Douala, Cameroon is facing average wait times of 4.2 days due to a terminal expansion project, according to data from Everstream Analytics.
Equipment shortages and high transshipment volumes are leading to elevated wait times at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, with average wait times above 4 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Asia & Oceania
Ports in Asia and Oceania are generally facing low wait times, with the most notable disruption arising from the passage of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong. The Port of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, closed due to the storm but the port has since reopened. Wait times are not currently elevated but could increase in the wake of disruptions from the storms.
The Port of Shekou, China is experiencing 1.3 days of average wait times according to Kuehne + Nagel. Hapag Lloyd reports that bad weather and vessel bunching are contributing to delays at the port.
Average wait times have increased to 2.1 at the Port of Xiamen, China, according to Everstream Analytics.
The Port of Manila, Philippines, is experiencing average wait times of 2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Delays are the result of the passage of Tropical Storm Fung-Wong. The Manila Multipurpose Terminal suspended cargo delivery on November 10 due to the storm. The port has since resumed all operations.
Middle East & India
Overall, ports in the Middle East and India are not experiencing high wait times. The Port of Chittagong (Chattogram), Bangladesh, is facing average wait times of 1.8 days, according to data from Everstream Analytics. The port faced a strike on November 1 by dockworkers over the planned takeover of several key assets of the port, including a container terminal. Workers are members of the Chattogram Port Berth and Terminal Operators Union, the Dock Workers’ Union, and other local port labor organizations. Further strikes have not been ruled out.
The ports of Mundra and Nhava Sheva, India, are both experiencing average wait times of less than 1 day, according to Everstream Analytics, but operations at the ports have been hampered by weather-related stoppages, leading to lineup delays of 0.5 days, according to Hapag-Lloyd.
Europe
No port in Europe is experiencing wait times of over 3 days; however, most ports are experiencing some minor congestion.
The Port of Valencia, Spain, has the highest average wait times of the region, with the average wait at 3.2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Ports in Portugal (including the ports of Aveiro, Leixoes, Lisbon, and Sines) remain at risk of disruptions from an ongoing nationwide strike by the National Union of Port Administration Workers (SNTAP). Strikes are scheduled to occur on November 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, and 29, with further action to occur on December 2-4, 9, 12, and 13.
Ports in the United Kingdom are facing elevated wait times, according to Kuehne + Nagel. The Port of Felixstowe reports average wait times of 1.7 days, the Port of London Gateway reports average wait times of 2 days, and the Port of Southampton reports average wait times of 1.5 days.
Protestors blocked roadways that connected the Eurogate container terminal and the HHLA terminal at the Port of Hamburg, Germany, on November 7. The port is facing average wait times of 1.2 days, with ongoing construction and crane maintenance occurring, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Americas
In North America, average wait times have largely subsided, however, rail dwell remains an issue with the ports of Vancouver (7-9 days), Houston (9-10 days), New York / New Jersey (4 days), Norfolk (2-3 days), and Savannah (1-2 days) reporting high average dwell times.
The Port of Mobile, United States, is currently facing average wait times of 4.6 days, according to Everstream Analytics, which is the highest in North America. The Port of Seattle-Tacoma, United States, is facing average wait times of 2 days, according to Everstream Analytics.
Ports in Mexico have seen weather and protests lead to increased operational disruptions. The Port of Altamira, Mexico, faced a closure due to a cold front, according to Hapag-Llyod, and reopened on November 10.
Additionally, the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico, is facing wait times of 1.4 days, according to data from Kuehne + Nagel. The port has experienced disruptions due to recent blockades and protests, as well as rail issues stemming from a derailment.
In South America, nationwide protests have led to a state of emergency in Peru, which has increased average wait times at the Port of Callao to 1.7 days, according to data from Kuehne + Nagel.
The ports of Paranaguá and Santos, Brazil, are experiencing average wait times of 4.5 days and 3.1 days, respectively, according to data from Everstream Analytics.
Hapag-Lloyd reports high yard utilization for both ports. The Port of Buenaventura, Colombia, is facing average wait times of 2.8 days, according to Everstream Analytics, with access to the port hampered by blockades on roads leading to the port.
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