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: Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays, except SA Airlink into Ndola/Beira/Nampula (NLA/BEW/APL) – slightly back logged ex JNB, first available 06/02/2026
Sea Freight
Exports: Vessel space is at capacity for majority of shipping lines. Early bookings are crucial in order to secure space however this is subject to acceptance by carriers.
Shortage of equipment in Johannesburg with most shipping lines.
Durban
- Pier 1: 0 – 2 days waiting time
- Pier 2 (DCT): 0 – 2 days waiting time
- Point: 0 – 2 days waiting time
Cape Town
Strong winds continue to impact port operations, with terminal operations ceasing due to going “wind bound”. Delays are expected on both inbound and outbound services
- CTCT: 4 – 5 days waiting time. Terminal working to recover from wind delay stoppages
- MPT: 0 – 1 days waiting time
Port Elizabeth
Port operations are smooth; however wind may impact operations.
- PECT: 0 – 1 day waiting time. Service maintenance is scheduled for the 19th January to end March 2026.
- NCT: 0 – 1 days waiting time.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
- Increase in BRC Surcharge issued by MSC – This will apply to all cargo ex South Africa/Namibia & Mozambique to West Africa & Angola.
- Vessel delays, vessel and voyage amendments continue to be experienced.
- Grape Season and demand for reefer may result in carriers not accepting DG cargo on certain routes. Delays on the movement of DG cargo can be anticipated during this time.
West Africa
NAMIBIA
- 0 – 1 days waiting time at Walvis Bay.
- Intermittent wind gusts expected and may impact terminal operations.
ANGOLA
- Congestion delays at 2 days experienced at Luanda port, with terminals operating normally.
GHANA
- Berthing delays of 3 – 4 days experienced at Tema port.
- Terminal is facing crane outages. Berthing delays for window vessels are up to 36 hours and nonwindow vessels are subject to availability. Terminal is following strict pro-forma moves.
- Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has announced the mandatory rollout of the Smart Port Note (SPN) system will be suspended until further notice.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Apapa and 2 days at Tincan.
- Operational slow down is expected over the next few weeks due to bad weather.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delay of 1 – 2 days experienced at Abidjan port.
- New crane has been commissioned, however operational slowdown expected due to vessel line up delays. Delays of up to 24 hours for window vessels.
Indian Ocean Islands
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delays of up 7 – 8. Terminal is still recovering from Christmas and New Year terminal closures.
- Impact is being felt from recent Tropical Storm Dudzai; with heavy rain and strong wind expected for the rest of the week.
- Tropical storm season is impending and situations may worsen towards March.
REUNION
- Port Reunion is seeing 0 – 1days waiting time.
- No weather concerns for the rest of the week.
MADAGASCAR
- Toamasina (Tamatave) has 0 days berthing delays.
East Africa
East Africa schedule is impacted by vessel berthing delays along the vessel route; compounding erratic schedules, delays, and vessel amendments. Please be guided accordingly. Carriers have advised extensive delays in East African ports.
MOZAMBIQUE
- Maputo currently reflecting 0 days and Beira reflecting around 23 days vessel waiting time.
- Maputo – Intermittent wind gusts and rain expected for the week.
- Delays in Beira as a result of adverse weather conditions.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of up to 8 to 10 days experienced at Mombasa port (published).
- 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 8 – 10 days experienced at terminals, as a result of berth sequence. Terminal gate and road congestion is contributing to delays.
- Adani terminal has maintenance work on the quay over the next 2 years.
NORTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
CANADA
MONTREAL
- Congestion delays of 3 days experienced at this port.
- All services calling Montreal are facing severe weather on the North Atlantic.
- Rail car supply is steady with average dwell time at 4.4days.
VANCOUVER
- Congestion delays of 3 days experienced at this port.
- Steady productivity and consistent rail cargo supply; however poor weather conditions and labour does pose a concern.
USA
Carrier service has seen routing change on southbound service – after Freeport, vessels scheduled to call Tema and Tincan prior to Durban. Transshipments are not the norm for published vessel rotation.
Severe winter storms are affecting operations across central and eastern regions of the USA.
Anticipated port terminal and CFS reduced productivity and / or closures. Delayed cargo deliveries and pick ups, as well as delayed IPI (IDM) truck movements to be expected.
Shipco Transport Notice dated 23 January 2026
Dear Valued Client,
Further to our earlier Storm Watch Advisory, we now have the following updates:
Current operational impacts beginning Monday 26th, including but not limited to:
NYC / NJ Port Terminals:
- All terminals closed Monday.
- Trucking and CFS providers expected to follow the same.
CFS Locations:
- International Cargo Terminals:
o Elizabeth, NJ location closed Monday. Tuesday TBA (could include delayed opening or closure)
o Atlanta, GA location: To be determined over the weekend (could include delayed opening or closure)
- Philadelphia, PA CFS (Falcon Express): closed Monday. Tuesday delayed opening.
- Norfolk, VA CFS (Norfolk Bonded): To be determined over the weekend (could include delayed opening or closure)
- Houston, TX CFS (World Trade Distribution): To be determined over the weekend (could include delayed opening or closure)
o Will close on Monday if the Port of Houston closes.
- Memphis, TN CFS (Midsouth Transport): To be determined over the weekend (could include delayed opening or closure)
- Charleston, SC CFS (STG Logistics): Expects to operate normal hours
- Charlotte, NC CFS (Charlotte Air Freight/Imports, Guardian Logistics / Exports): To be determined over the weekend (could include delayed opening or closure)
Terminals Updates:
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
- Average vessel waiting time in New York terminals is at 2 – 3 days.
- Berth congestion and vessel delays are related to the holiday schedule and adverse weather conditions.
- APM Terminals Elizabeth and Maher will be closed Monday 26th January due to severe weather.
SAVANNAH
- Average vessel waiting time for Savanah terminals is 2 days.
LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH
- Vessel waiting time is up to 1 day for Los Angeles and 1 day for Long Beach.
SOUTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
ARGENTINA – Buenos Aires
- Berthing delays of 1 day. Terminals are working normally.
BRAZIL – Paranagua
- Congestion delays of 1 day in Paranagua. Increase in berth waiting times for vessels arriving out of berth window is being experienced.
- Terminal yards are congested.
MEXICO
Altimera
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port.
- IMP terminal closure due to cold front.
Veracruz
- Berthing delays of 4 days.
- Terminals are working normally.
- Port closure due to adverse weather conditions.
Manzanillo
- Berthing delays of 1 days.
- Port is working normally.
COSTA RICA
- DG cargo cannot be accepted for Costa Rica, as advised by WWA partners:
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN.
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
- Cold weather conditions continue across Europe. Terminals are operating as per normal schedules, however delays and congestion do remain.
- Vessel schedule integrity is erratic and port omissions being experienced and carriers transferring container bookings onto amended vessels. Delays are being seen from all European ports.
- Vessel port rotations are subject to amendment and unscheduled transshipments may be experienced, as dictated by carriers and last minute scheduling changes.
- Grape Season and demand for reefer may result in carriers not accepting DG cargo on certain routes. Delays on the movement of DG cargo can be anticipated during this time.
Hapag Lloyd’s web-based service information states:
Weather conditions in Northern Europe have returned to normality and terminals are back to regular operations. High yard utilisation and vessel backlog from the accumulated delays are persisting for some terminals and are expected to continue until the end of week 5 due to further storms in the Bay of Biscay and into the English Channel.
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Antwerp port.
- Vessel omissions and scheduling delays are being experienced.
- Both MSC Rouen and MSC Togo omitted Antwerp and containers scheduled for these vessels have been delayed to first available vessel, as per carrier – MSC Marseille.
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Le Havre port.
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 8 days experienced at Hamburg and 1 day at Bremerhaven.
ITALY
- Terminals are congested with berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Genova and 1 day at La Spezia port.
- Container transshipment delays may be experienced at Las Palmas.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Rotterdam port.
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Barcelona port.
- Container transshipment delays may be experienced at Las Palmas.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Istanbul port and 1 day at Izmir port.
- Container transshipment delays may be experienced at various hubs.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at London Gateway port.
- Terminals and yard operations impacted by inclement weather; delays may be experienced.
MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
INDIA
- Congestion delays of 1 day experienced at Nhava Sheva and 1 day at Chennai.
SRI LANKA
- Congestion delays of 1 day experienced at Colombo port.
- Delays for window berthing vessels for the next few weeks, as terminal is impacted by adverse weather conditions..
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Jebel Ali.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly with no significant delays.
Sea Freight
Ahead of Chinese New Year (17th to 3 rd March) capacity is tightening out of the region.
Blank sailings out of the region have been published by some carriers in weeks 7 and 9.
HONG KONG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
NANSHA / GUANGZHOU
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at this port. There is some congestion being experienced at Nansha.
NINGBO
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at this port.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Vessel bunching and congestion being experienced due to strong winds.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at this port.
SHEKOU / SHENZHEN
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at Shekou and 0 days at Yantian ports.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
XINGANG / TIANJIN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delays of 2 days being experienced at this port
KOREA
- Berthing delays of 1 day (KRPUS) and 1 day (KRBNP – New Port) experienced at Busan port. Mega vessel bunching is creating some congestion at PNIT Terminal.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Kaohsiung and 0 days at Keelung ports.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 3 days experienced at Bangkok and 1 day at Laem Chabang ports.
NEWS ARTICLES
Copperbelt Corridor Misses Out on Initial SA Land Border Upgrades
20/01/2026
South Africa will begin infrastructure upgrades at six land border posts before the end of the year following the conclusion of a public-private partnership (PPP) bidding process, according to Border Management Authority (BMA) commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato. The projects cover Lebombo (Mozambique), Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), Kopfontein (Botswana), Oshoek (Eswatini), and Maseru and Ficksburg (Lesotho), with most serving landlocked regional trading partners.
Despite calls from the road freight industry, the heavily congested Groblersbrug crossing on the Copperbelt Corridor into Botswana has been excluded from the current upgrade programme. Masiapato said planning for the approved sites was already finalised, including environmental and socio-economic assessments, preventing a late shift of resources to Groblersbrug, even as traffic volumes there have surged due to operators bypassing Beitbridge.
The BMA acknowledged the growing importance of Groblersbrug and confirmed that future upgrades would be prioritised once capacity allows. National Treasury has streamlined PPP processes, reducing timelines and bureaucracy, which Masiapato said should accelerate future border infrastructure projects compared with the decade-long delays experienced in the past.
However, addressing chronic congestion at Groblersbrug would likely require major investment, including a proposed flyover bridge to replace the single-lane crossing prone to flooding. Funding remains a key challenge, with PPP options potentially involving tolling, raising concerns about new non-tariff barriers to trade. Sanral has confirmed it has no jurisdiction or existing plans for infrastructure development at the Groblersbrug border control zone. Source
Copperbelt Drivers Push Back Against Return of Truck Scanning Fee
22/01/2026
Tensions have resurfaced on the Copperbelt corridor after mandatory truck scanning was quietly reintroduced on 21 January at the Kanyaka Truck Park in Lubumbashi, according to the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist). The US$100-per-scan requirement had been suspended in December following strong opposition from drivers and intervention by the Haut Katanga provincial governor.
The renewed measure has again been labelled a non-tariff barrier, with widespread resistance from drivers citing high costs and severe congestion. Transist reported that only two trucks complied with the scanning requirement, while hundreds of others refused to proceed, bringing traffic to a standstill on a key route serving copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The situation has escalated into safety concerns, with reports of threats and the need for police escorts for compliant vehicles. As of the morning of 22 January, the impasse remained unresolved, disrupting a critical supply chain and increasing risks to drivers, cargo, and transport assets operating along the Copperbelt corridor. Source
Major Winter Storm Threatens Widespread U.S. Freight Disruptions
21/01/2026
A powerful winter storm forecast for 23–25 January is expected to disrupt transportation networks across more than 30 U.S. states, stretching from the Southern Plains through the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Heavy snow, ice and freezing rain are likely to impact major highways, rail corridors, rivers and airports, raising the risk of road closures, delayed transit times, and reduced freight capacity at a time when markets are already tight.
Key freight corridors, including interstates such as I-20 and I-85, face potential shutdowns, while ice on inland waterways like the Mississippi and Illinois rivers could slow barge movements for grain and bulk commodities. Rail operations, particularly on BNSF routes in the Midwest and Northwest, may also be affected by snow, flooding and frozen infrastructure, disrupting intermodal flows to export terminals.
Air cargo networks are at heightened risk, with major hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, Memphis, Charlotte and Houston facing possible ground stops and de-icing delays. Disruptions at these hubs could cascade nationwide, impacting express, e-commerce and time-sensitive shipments, and creating backlogs at sorting and distribution facilities.
The storm is expected to intensify freight market volatility, with trucking capacity likely to tighten further and spot rates remaining elevated into Q1 2026. Warehouses, manufacturing plants and distribution centres in the southern and eastern states may face closures due to power outages and unsafe conditions, increasing the risk of production stoppages and inventory shortfalls. Shippers are advised to plan for delays, consider alternative routing, and build contingency buffers as extreme weather continues to rank among the top global supply chain risks. Source
Carriers Reassess Suez Canal Transits Amid Rising Geopolitical Risk
20/01/2026
CMA CGM has announced it will temporarily reroute vessels on selected Asia–Europe services away from the Suez Canal, citing heightened political uncertainty in the Middle East. The French carrier confirmed that ships on its FAL1, FAL3 and MEX services will instead sail via the Cape of Good Hope, with the situation under continuous review as regional tensions evolve.
Further signs of caution among carriers emerged from vessel-tracking data, showing some ships altering course or limiting AIS visibility amid uncertainty over Suez transits. While Maersk had indicated plans to resume westbound Suez passages on its MECL1 service, recent movements suggest continued hesitation, with some vessels observed heading south toward the Cape route rather than the canal.
Market analysts note that overall Suez traffic remains far below pre-Red Sea crisis levels, despite earlier optimism about a gradual return. According to Drewry, transits are still around 85% below historical norms, although war-risk insurance premiums have eased significantly from their peak, reducing one major cost barrier to canal usage.
Despite lower insurance costs, carriers remain cautious due to the high value of cargo relative to vessel hull values. Industry consensus points toward a hybrid routing strategy in 2026, with lower-value backhaul cargo more likely to transit the Suez Canal, while higher-value headhaul shipments continue to be routed via the Cape of Good Hope to mitigate risk.Source
Intra-Asia Container Rates Ease as New Capacity Enters the Market
19/01/2026
Intra-Asia container rates have softened in early January after climbing to six-month highs at the end of 2025, as new services and added vessel capacity begin to rebalance the market. Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index fell to $661 per 40ft, down from $700 at the start of the month, while regional indices show mostly stable to slightly lower pricing, particularly on South Korea–Southeast Asia lanes.
Despite healthy cargo volumes, forwarders report ample space and limited scope for further rate increases. Capacity growth has outpaced demand, with effective carrier capacity rising 17% month-on-month from Greater China and 22% from Southeast Asia in December, while export volumes remained flat or declined. With Chinese New Year falling relatively late this year and rates already easing, analysts expect the intra-Asia peak season to have passed. 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
