In Africa, ports have faced disruptions from weather as well as an expansion of the conflict zone of the U.S.-Iran war.
On July 30, a drone attack damaged two ships at the Port of Damietta, Egypt. No country or group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which involved two drones and struck a U.S.-owned gas storage tanker and another vessel. The Port of Durban, South Africa, faced a suspension of operations at the DCT Pier 1 terminal following strong winds.
With the resumption of strikes in the U.S.-Iran conflict and the renewed threat to vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait from the Houthi group, maritime traffic will continue to be rerouted along Africa. The increased traffic could strain port infrastructure and worsen regional congestion.
In Asia & Oceania, several ports faced disruptions from strong winds and heavy rain. The ports of Yantian and Shekou, China, experienced weather-related impacts from July 24-27. Both ports have since fully resumed operations. Port Botany, Australia, saw a strike occur on July 24 that was held by the Maritime Union of Australia against the port’s security operator. The strike forced DP World to close its terminal gates for four hours.
In the Middle East & Southeast Asia, the most significant disruptions continue to be a result of the resumed military strikes between the U.S. and Iran. The countries have traded military strikes, and some attacks have damaged vessels in the area. The escalation of hostilities in the Middle East has led to increased congestion at the ports of Nhava Sheva JNPT/Mumbai/Jawaharlal Nehru and Mundra, India. Rerouted vessels and reduced fleet availability have led to longer cargo dwell times and slow cargo movements in ports.
Ports in Europe continue to face disruptions from strike actions; however, low water levels on several key river waterways are severely impacting the movement of cargo in the region as well. Low river levels on the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe rivers have led authorities to significantly reduce cargo load levels or ban cargo vessels entirely. Port workers launched or plan to launch strikes at the ports of Limassol, Cyprus, Livorno and Genoa, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.
In the Americas, ports in the U.S. faced a string of port worker walkouts at the ports of San Francisco and Oakland. Tropical Storm Bertha moved across the southeastern U.S. and disrupted port operations from July 20-25. The ports of Houston and New Orleans saw reduced operations along with a service suspension for the Port of Lake Charles and the Calcasieu Channel. In South America, weather has continued to disrupt operations at the ports of San Antonio and Valparaíso, Chile. The Port of Santos, Brazil, was disrupted on July 22 and 29 by strong winds, leading to a suspension of activities at the port.
Regional Summaries
Africa
The highest wait times in the region were reported at the Port of Beira, Mozambique, with average wait times of 34.4 days reported by Everstream Analytics. Hapag-Lloyd reports that the port has been affected by strong winds and rainfall, leading to disruptions in cargo movement.
Average wait times stand at 17.5 days at the Port of Conakry, Guinea, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Hapag-Lloyd is reporting extremely long anchorage delays due to persistent berth congestion and operational constraints.
The Port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is reporting average wait times of 7.6 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, along with yard congestion.
Average wait times stand at 6 days at the Port of Apapa, Nigeria, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Landside evacuation constraints and customs delays are leading to extended anchorage times.
The Port of Tema, Ghana, is facing average wait times of 5.7 days, according to Everstream Analytics. Kuehne + Nagel reports that heavy rainfall and flooding are affecting truck access to the port.
Asia & Oceania
The highest average wait times in the region were recorded at the Port of Shanghai, China, with average wait times reported at 4.6 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. As a result, the port is experiencing severe congestion and prolonged vessel waiting times.
The Port of Manila, Philippines, is facing average wait times of 4.5 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with operational disruptions reported and significant vessel queues.
The Port of Ningbo, China, is facing average wait times of 2.1 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Yard congestion and elevated vessel queues are driving disruptions to operations.
The Port of Auckland, New Zealand, is facing average wait times of 2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel.
Average wait times at the Port of Belawan, Indonesia, also stand at 2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Off-window vessel arrivals continue to face delays at the port.
Middle East & South Asia
The highest wait times in the region were recorded at the Port of Mundra, India, with average wait times reported at 2.8 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. In addition, the port continues to face issues with high throughput volumes and inland transport constraints, leading to vessel bunching and berth congestion.
The Port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is facing average wait times of 2.3 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Inland logistics limitations and constraints are leading to congestion at the port.
Average wait times stand at 2 days at the Port of Nhava Sheva, India, according to Kuehne + Nagel. The port is facing difficulties with cargo operations due to truck shortages, inland bottlenecks, and rail congestion.
The Port of Karachi, Pakistan, is facing average wait times of 2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Regional security concerns and geopolitical tensions are posing risks to cargo flows.
The Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, is facing average wait times of 1.3 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Maritime security risk at the port and surrounding facilities remains elevated due to the ongoing tensions in the area.
Europe
The Port of Thessaloniki, Greece, is facing the highest average wait times of any port in the region, with Kuehne + Nagel reporting average wait times of 3.3 days.
Average wait times at the Port of Barcelona, Spain, stand at 2.5 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. The port is facing seasonally high cargo volumes along with trucking constraints, ongoing heatwave impacts, and a planned rail suspension from August 2-8.
The Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, is facing average wait times of 2.44 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Inland transport and terminal capacity pressures are affecting port schedules.
The Port of Felixstowe, United Kingdom, is facing average wait times of 2.3 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Autonomous truck performance issues have limited port productivity.
Average wait times at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, stand at 2.2 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Pilot shortages and crane maintenance are driving congestion at the port.
Americas
Average wait times at the Port of Mobile, United States, were reported at 2.4 days, according to Everstream Analytics, the highest in the region.
The Port of Vancouver, Canada, is facing average wait times of 1.8 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel. Rail dwell time is affecting cargo movement at the port.
Average wait times at the Port of Houston, United States, stand at 1.7 days, according to Kuehne + Nagel, with high rail dwell times.
In South America, the Port of Paranaguá, Brazil, reported average wait times of 2.1 days, according to Everstream Analytics.
Infrastructure works are affecting port operations. The Port of Santos, Brazil, is facing average wait times of 1.7 days, according to Everstream Analytics.
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