Good Day Clients & Partners,
Please find below our newsletter with the latest freight & logistics updates for the week. As always, the Inter-Sped team are ready to go the extra mile for you – so don’t hesitate to contact us.
SOUTH AFRICA
Air Freight
Exports: With peak season in full swing, demand for freight capacity ex South Africa (ZA) has risen, exerting upward pressure on freight rates. Dead freight penalties are implemented by most airlines, 72 hours notice required for cancellations, However operationally, no major delays have been encountered.
Sea Freight
Exports: Vessel space is at capacity, please ensure to secure bookings as early as possible in order to secure space on selected vessels. Shortage of equipment in Johanesburg with most shipping lines.
Durban Port
There has been some noted reduction to the number of split discharges being seen over the period under review. Transporter bookings remain busy; however transporters do work to ensure favourable booking times to expedite container movement between the terminals and ZACPAK. Wind stoppages have been experienced during the week. No backlogs.
- Pier 1: 2 – 3 days waiting time
- Pier 2 (DCT): 1 – 3 days waiting time
- Point: 0 – 2 days’ waiting time
Cape Town Port
Seasonal moderate to strong winds and high swells may impact operations at the terminals, resulting in intermittent stoppages. No backlogs.
- CTCT: 0 – 3 days waiting time
- MPT: 0 – 1 day waiting time
Port Elizabeth
Port operations remain smooth. Seasonal strong winds and high swells impact port operations. No backlogs.
- PECT: 0 – 1 day waiting time
- NCT: 0 – 4 day waiting time
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Air Freight
Exports: Ethiopian Airline has a backlog ex ADD into all destinations, +/- 7days.
SA Airlink backlogs into: Mozambique (MPM and BEW) St Helena (HLE) Malawi (BLZ and LLW).
Sea Freight
Exports: Ethiopian Airline has a backlog ex ADD into all destinations, +/- 7days.
SA Airlink backlogs into: Mozambique (MPM and BEW) St Helena (HLE) Malawi (BLZ and LLW).
East Africa services are subject to erratic carrier schedules. Vessels delayed on rotational route do create a snowball effect and as a result delays and vessel changes may be expected. This may also impact transit times.
There has been a fuel blockade in Mali for over two months. The fuel blockade as well as safety concerns has seen some carriers temporarily suspending their services to Mali. Containers on route have been discharged in other ports, awaiting solutions to the current situation. Delays may be experienced. SACO LCL service to Bamako, Mali is on application only, with connects ad hoc.
As a result of the unrest in Tanzania at the end of October; congestion and delays are being experienced in both Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Schedules are erratic and we do anticipate that we may experience further schedule amendments, blanked sailings and extended transit times may be experienced.
West Africa services are experiencing delays; both on direct ex Durban Gateway, as well as transshipment volumes moving through Europe. Vessel rotation schedules are being experienced, as port and terminal delays along vessel routes are compounded. Container transshipments (cargo moving from and through Europe) are seeing extensive delays in transshipment hubs of Tangiers and Algeciras. With backlogs, containers are moving on FIFO schedule. These delays will result in extended lead times.
Kenya: Berthing delays of 9 days experienced at Mombasa port. Terminal is facing long-term congestion, slow productivity due to equipment shortages and high transshipment volumes. Berth delays are also due to vessel bunching arriving off-window.
Tanzania: Berthing delays of 13 days experienced at Dar es Salaam ports. Terminal gate and road congestion is contributing to delays. It is anticipated that waiting times and delays, as a result of the recent conflict, will only ease towards end of December.
West Africa
West Africa services are experiencing delays; both on direct ex Durban Gateway, as well as transshipment volumes moving through Europe. Vessel rotation schedules are being experienced, as port and terminal delays along vessel routes are compounded. Container transshipments (cargo moving from and through Europe) are seeing extensive delays in transshipment hubs of Tangiers and Algeciras. With backlogs, containers are moving on FIFO schedule. These delays will result in extended lead times.
NAMIBIA
- 1 day waiting time at Walvis Bay.
ANGOLA
- Berthing delays of up to 4 days experienced at Luanda port.
GHANA
- Berthing delay of 2 – 3 days experienced at Tema port.
- The terminal is facing challenges with crane operations and there are 3 cranes currently under-going maintenance. As a result of slow terminal productivity, vessel bunching is being experienced.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Apapa and 4 days at Tincan.
- SACO containers are handled from Apapa.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delay of 1 – 2 days experienced at Abidjan port.
- Vessel build up has occurred as a result of new crane operations; operational delays are expected as well as some vessel bunching.
Indian Ocean Islands
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delays of up 3 days experienced at Port Louis due to adverse weather conditions and operational challenges in the terminal.
REUNION
- Port Reunion is seeing 1days waiting time, with some operational challenges being experienced.
- Transshipments ex Port Louis have been delayed due to carriers’ erratic schedules on the direct services. Alternate sailings are via outlying transshipment hubs, with resultant extended transit times. Cargo may be delayed in Port Louis for loading on next available “direct” sailing.
MADAGASCAR
- Toamasina (Tamatave) has 5 days berthing delays.
East Africa
As a result of the unrest in Tanzania at the end of October; congestion and delays are being experienced in both Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Schedules are erratic and we do anticipate that we may experience further schedule amendments, blanked sailings and extended transit times may be experienced.
MOZAMBIQUE
- Maputo currently reflecting 0 – 2 days and Beira reflecting 9 days vessel waiting time.
- Inclement weather with strong wind gusts and rain is expected over the next week.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of 9 days experienced at Mombasa port.
- Terminal is facing long-term congestion, slow productivity due to equipment shortages and high transshipment volumes. Berth delays are also due to vessel bunching arriving off-window.
TANZANIA
- Berthing delays of 13 days experienced at Dar es Salaam ports.
- Terminal gate and road congestion is contributing to delays.
- It is anticipated that waiting times and delays, as a result of the recent conflict, will only ease towards end of December.
NORTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
USA Thanksgiving holiday is on Thursday 27th November 2025. Majority regions will also see Friday 28th November being taken as a holiday.
SACO and WWA LCL services ex Canada into South Africa are routed over European hubs.
Alternate string is available with routing over New York – should alternate routing be required, this must be advised at time of shipment booking, by the booking party.
Ongoing bad weather in the North Atlantic has resulted in vessel delays; this has had a significant impact on St John. Delays are anticipated.
CANADA
SACO and WWA LCL services ex Canada into South Africa are routed over European hubs.
Alternate string is available with routing over New York – should alternate routing be required, this must be advised at time of shipment booking, by the booking party.
Ongoing bad weather in the North Atlantic has resulted in vessel delays; this has had a significant impact on St John. Delays are anticipated.
Montreal
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at this port.
- Improved rail car supply.
Vancouver
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
- Strong productivity and consistent rail cargo supply is consistent.
USA
USA Thanksgiving holiday is on Thursday 27th November 2025. Majority regions will also see Friday 28th November being taken as a holiday.
Terminals Updates:
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
- Average vessel waiting time in New York terminals is at 4 days.
- APMT – All cranes on the East berth are now operational. There are 5 cranes on South berth, one of those will be out of service until the end of November.
- All terminal gates were closed on 11th November for Veterans Day.
SAVANNAH
- Average vessel waiting time for Savanah terminals is 4 days.
- SACO / Shipco containers sealed ex Atlanta load out Savannah terminals.
LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH
- Vessel waiting time is up to 1 days for Los Angeles and 4 days for Long Beach.
SOUTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
ARGENTINA – Buenos Aires
- Berthing delays of 3 days.
- SACO LCL services move over Hamburg.
BRAZIL – Santos / Paranagua
- Berthing delay of 4 days out of Paranagua.
- New vessel rotation effective from 1 November; with containers for SA no longer loaded out of Santos port. SACO containers will continue to be loaded at Santos CFS and containers will be trucked to Paranagua terminals for loading onto vessels.
- Paranagua terminal (TCP) is congested, and delays being experienced for vessels outside of berthing windows.
MEXICO
Altimera
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port.
- The port was closed to 10th November due to a cold front.
Veracruz
- Berthing delays of 2 days.
- The port was closed to 11th November due to a cold front.
Manzanillo
- Berthing delays of 1 day.
- Berths are congested, but working normally.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN.
Air Freight
All operations running smoothly with no mentionable delays.
Sea Freight
Delays are being experienced on north bound services, with transshipments in London Gateway being up to 2 weeks. South bound services are experiencing extensive delays due to heavy congestion being experienced at transshipment hubs, specifically Las Palmas, Algeciras, Tangiers. We are seeing carrier rotation changing, with container transshipments being performed at other terminals (e.g. Las Palmas vs Sines). Services calling west coast of Africa are being especially impacted. Transshipment hubs are working on FIFO basis.
ICS2 filing has seen some challenges over the past week. Please be aware of potential delays. Tax UD ICS2 ENS System Issue Continue.
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Antwerp port.
- PSA has gate opening times to 6 days prior to vessel ETA, while AGW sees opening times at 5 days prior to vessel ETA.
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Le Havre port.
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Hamburg and 1 day at Bremerhaven.
ITALY
- Terminals are congested with berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Genova and 1 day at La Spezia port.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Rotterdam port.
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Barcelona port.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Istanbul port and 0 days at Izmir port.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at London Gateway port.
MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
Air Freight
All operations running smoothly with no mentionable delays.
Sea Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
INDIA
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Nhava Sheva and 1 day at Chennai.
- Weather delays, specifically Mundra, Kandla and Nhava Sheva, may impact operations in terminals.
SRI LANKA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Colombo port.
- Terminal services impacted high transshipment levels and bad weather conditions.
- FCL containers transhipping in Colombo may experience delays.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delay of 0 days experienced at Jebel Ali.
- Operational delays due to crane breakdowns affecting productivity.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Air Freight
All operations running smoothly with no mentionable delays.
Sea Freight
Capacity has eased in the APAC region and freight rates are expected to soften.
There is some backlog still to be cleared in Singapore, but this has eased.
Shekou/Shenzhen: Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Shekou and 1 day at Yantian ports. Congestion being experienced as a result of bad weather and vessel bunching in Shekou. Due to tightening Customs controls in Shenzhen; containers are being detained by Chinese Customs for inspections. Containers are moved to General Administration Custom for inspection, and this may take 1 to 2 weeks for the inspection and release of the container. Every effort is made to ensure full Customs compliance and to have containers released as soon as possible.
HONG KONG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
NANSHA / GUANGZHOU
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
- Severe congestion at NICT terminal.
NINGBO
- Berthing delay of 3 days experienced at this port.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
- Poor weather is impacting operations.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Heavy vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
SHEKOU / SHENZHEN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Shekou and 1 day at Yantian ports.
- Congestion being experienced as a result of bad weather and vessel bunching in Shekou.
- Due to tightening Customs controls in Shenzhen; containers are being detained by Chinese Customs for inspections. Containers are moved to General Administration Custom for inspection, and this may take 1 to 2 weeks for the inspection and release of the container.
- Every effort is made to ensure full Customs compliance and to have containers released as soon as possible.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delays of 0 days experienced at this port.
XINGANG / TIANJIN
- Berthing delay of 8 days experienced at this port.
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delays of 1 day being experienced at this port. Increase in vessel bunching is expected over the weekend and week to come. Container transshipment delays may be experienced.
- Carriers may perform unscheduled container transshipments in Singapore in order to clear backlog.
KOREA
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Busan port. Mega vessel bunching is creating some congestion at PNIT Terminal.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Kaohsiung and 0 days at Keelung ports.
- There was a temporary port closure in Kaohsiung on 10th November 2025 at 07:50.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Bangkok and 1 day at Laem Chabang ports.
NEWS ARTICLES
Beitbridge Traffic Back to Normal After Brief Bottleneck
10/11/2025
Traffic at South Africa’s Beitbridge Border Post has returned to normal after a north-bound truck queue built up on Sunday afternoon. According to Mike Fitzmaurice of the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist), the congestion occurred when trucks from two holding areas departed simultaneously, creating a bottleneck at the border’s control zone. Fitzmaurice noted that non-compliance by some drivers continues to cause delays, particularly when trucks idle unnecessarily at the weighbridge. He highlighted an incident where one truck blocked the weighbridge queue for about 90 minutes, despite the weighing process typically taking less than a minute.
Fitzmaurice added that such delays are sometimes linked to overloaded trucks waiting for an opportunity to avoid penalties through bribery, although this is not always the case. While many in-transit carriers heading to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are bypassing Zimbabwe via Botswana due to poor road conditions and logistics issues, the Beitbridge crossing remains busy. Seasonal increases in cargo moving from South Africa into Zimbabwe are expected to keep volumes high in the weeks ahead. Source
New Platform Targets Delays and Costs on Key African Trade Corridors
07/11/2025
Cross-border delays and high transport costs continue to challenge long-distance road freight in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly along the North-South Corridor (NSC) between Durban and the Copperbelt. A new digital platform, the Trans Africa Border Hub (TABH), aims to address these issues by providing daily updated information on incidents, traffic, border charges, tolls, and known bottlenecks. Developed by border consultant Kage Barnett and endorsed by OSBP specialist Mike Fitzmaurice, the platform consolidates data that transporters often struggle to access or analyse in real time.
TABH leverages a strong information pipeline through Fitzmaurice’s extensive regional network of customs and border agency contacts, offering users a uniquely reliable view of corridor conditions. Although designed for the entire SSA region, the NSC has been selected as the pilot corridor amid increasing competition from routes via Walvis Bay and Dar es Salaam. The launch comes as major developments reshape the NSC — including a High Court ruling enabling ICTSI to take a 49% stake in Durban Pier 2, the anticipated passing of the OSBP Bill, and ongoing efforts to enhance multimodal logistics along the N3.
The NSC has historically handled more than 4.1 million tonnes of transit cargo, and demand is expected to rise in line with global appetite for copper and cobalt, much of which is produced in the DRC. Barnett noted that while significant collaboration would be required for an NSC Committee involving all countries along the corridor, TABH is a practical step toward improving freight fluidity in the region. Source
Trade Truce Brings Short-Term Relief, but Market Outlook Remains Uncertain
08/11/2025
The 12-month trade truce between the U.S. and China, effective 10 November, offers temporary stability for global shipping, with both countries suspending reciprocal port fees and the U.S. reducing tariffs on Chinese imports by 10%. However, analysts caution that the pause does little to clarify longer-term policy direction. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the administration’s authority to impose earlier tariff measures, with a ruling expected in early 2026.
Market analysts, including Xeneta, report that the truce is unlikely to reverse weakened demand in the Trans-Pacific trades. High tariffs remain in place, and U.S. shippers are expected to spend the first half of 2026 drawing down inventories accumulated earlier this year. Industry experts, such as Hackett Associates, warn that inconsistent tariff policies continue to create a volatile planning environment, contributing to forecasted declines in import volumes through early 2026.
Carriers are responding with careful capacity management. Xeneta notes that offered capacity on major eastbound trades has declined, despite slight increases on select lanes. Looking ahead, Xeneta’s 2026 Ocean Outlook projects global container demand growth of 3%, against a 3.6% expansion in fleet capacity. Meanwhile, MSC has become the first carrier to surpass 7 million TEUs in total fleet capacity, widening its lead over Maersk by more than 2 million TEUs. Source
Red Sea Ceasefire Raises Hopes for Suez Resumption, but Risks Persist
12/11/2025
A potential ceasefire in the Red Sea has renewed optimism for the gradual return of container traffic through the Suez Canal, though insurers remain cautious. The Houthis signalled a suspension of attacks but stopped short of a definitive declaration, stating they would reinstate operations if conflict resumes in Gaza. Analysts note that insurance underwriters are unlikely to remove the “war risk area” designation soon, with the International Union of Marine Insurance warning that further attacks cannot be ruled out. As a result, risk-based voyage pricing is expected to continue fluctuating.
Industry experts emphasize that the situation remains fragile. Previous ceasefires in the region have collapsed within months, and geopolitical tensions remain high. Lars Jensen of Vespucci Maritime said carriers will likely wait until mid-December—marking two months of ceasefire—before considering a return to the Red Sea. However, a shift before Chinese New Year could worsen European congestion, making a March transition more practical when volumes are lower.
Despite the risks, some carriers have maintained Red Sea operations throughout the crisis. CMA CGM continued transits with support from naval escorts, while analysts expect Cosco could be the first major carrier to re-enter due to its lower likelihood of being targeted. Still, any sudden resurgence of hostilities or early moves by a major carrier could reshape the timeline, leaving the industry in a cautious “wait and see” phase. Source
SOURCES & REFERENCES
SACO CFR | Hapag Lloyd | Maersk | MSC | Transnet | The LoadStar Publications | gCaptain.com | Shipco Transport | Splash247.com | Freightnews | Seatrade Maritime News | Automotive Logistics | Lloyds List
Again, the Inter-Sped team is here for all freight and Logistics needs – We will always do our best for you and keep you posted on your shipments progress on an individual shipment level.
Thank you for choosing Inter-Sped.
JJ & The Inter-Sped Team
