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
Operations continue to run smoothly however with the conclusion of the European summer holidays and the approaching peak season, notable increases in demand for space into ZA is being experienced.
Road Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
Sea Freight
Exports
- Vessel space issues: Reefer season is causing space constraints on vessels which results in cancellations and rollovers to later sailings.
- Equipment shortage: There’s a lack of equipment available for exports out of Durban/Johannesburg.
- Early booking crucial: Bookings need to be made as early as possible to secure space however this is subject to acceptance by carriers.
- Hazardous cargo bookings are being particularly affected, due to the IMO class cargo not being compatible with the reefer stows.
Durban Port
Terminal operations at DCT have seen some delays with Tower 203, resulting in slow bookings. As a result of high demand of Reefer; SA has seen larger volume vessels on rotation. Vessel split discharges / loadings at different terminals are being experienced; therefore, it is recommended close attention be paid to terminal changes and earlier berthing times. Berth 200 at DCT has seen some delays due to crane breakdowns; it has been advised that 2 new cranes are expected to be operational in November and 2 in March 2026. Clear week ahead with no weather stoppages expected. Road rehabilitation along Bayhead Road continues, may lead to some gate congestion. No backlogs.
- Pier 1 – 0 days waiting time
- Pier 2 (DCT) – 0 – 2 days waiting time
- Point 1 – 2 days’ waiting time
Cape Town Port
Vessel berth delays may vary as per the service. Port operations have been relatively smooth over the period under the report. Seasonal, inclement weather and strong winds may impact port operations. Some strong wind gusts on 22nd and 23rd August were experienced. No backlogs.
- CTCT: 0 days waiting time – carrier service dependent.
- MPT: 0 days waiting time
Port Elizabeth
Seasonal, inclement weather and strong winds may impact port operations. Strong wind gusts between 22nd to 23rd August were experienced. Intermittent strong winds expected from 25th to 29th August. No backlogs.
- PECT: 1 day waiting time.
- NCT: 0-2 days waiting time – carrier service dependent.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
Air Freight
Exports
- SA Airlink backlogs into Malawi and Mozambique, new bookings for 10/09/25
- Blantyre/ Lilongwe BLZ/LLW – New bookings for 30.08. Nampula -APL – New bookings for 30.08.
- St Helena HLE , Lubumbashi FBM and TETE
Sea Freight
- The delays in Mombasa are impacting vessel rotation and schedules. Despite carrier service being published as Direct into Dar Es Salaam, we have seen containers discharging in Mombasa and being moved into Dar Es Salaam by feeder in an effort for the vessels to regain time. Terminal gate and road is congested, resulting in further equipment movement delays. Adani terminal is undergoing maintenance work at the quay for next 2 years, which may impact operations.
- Vessels are being delayed in Mozambique, which have a subsequent ripple effect on the transit times and delays into the rest of East Africa. As a result, erratic vessels schedules, blanked sailings and extended transit times are being experienced. Amendments to vessel schedules are frequent. We will communicate any delays on an individual shipment level.
- Mentionable congestion and delays are being experienced in Angola, Ivory Coast and Mauritius and Mozambique.
West Africa
NAMIBIA
- 1 day waiting time at Walvis Bay.
ANGOLA
- Berthing delays of up to 6 days experienced at Luanda port.
GHANA
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Tema port.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Apapa and 2 days at Tincan.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delay of 6 days experienced at Abidjan port.
- Severe yard congestion resulting in slow operations and berthing delays.
Indian Ocean Islands
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delays of up to 7 days experienced at Port Louis.
- Waiting time is impacted by adverse weather conditions and operational challenges. Strong wind gusts and heavy swells conditions.
- Capacity is severely restricted out of Mauritius; with carriers advising limited to no capacity until end of September.
REUNION
- Port Reunion (Reunion) is seeing 1 day waiting time. However, port operations have been impacted by strike action.
MADAGASCAR
- Toamasina (Tamatave) (Madagascar) berthing delays at 2 days.
East Africa
MOZAMBIQUE
- Maputo currently reflecting 13 days and Beira reflecting 13 days vessel waiting time.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of 2 – 4 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 1-2 days experienced at Dar es Salaam ports. Berthing sequence will impact waiting time.
NORTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operations are running smoothly.
Sea Freight
- Schedule volatility remains, with carrier amendments to port rotations and vessel schedules. Cut off dates for both inbound and outbound are subject to change.
- Advance bookings, where possible are recommended.
- Effective 1 October 2025, MSC will maintain the direct USA service, while Maersk will change their service moving over Europe. MSC has published new service rotation and this change does see terminal changes in the US, additional port calls in Africa and a change to the port rotation in South Africa.
- APMT New York Port is experiencing strong demand for gate appointments, especially on vessel cut-off days, and may not be able to accommodate all requests. Customers are encouraged to deliver export cargo early, as shifting vessel schedules and high demand are causing delays and missed loadings.
USA
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY
- Average vessel waiting time in New York terminals is at 5 days.
- APMT New York is experiencing strong demand for gate appointments, especially on vessel cut-off days, and may not be able to accommodate all requests. Customers are encouraged to deliver export cargo early, as shifting vessel schedules and high demand are causing delays and missed loadings.
NORFOLK
- Vessel waiting time at 3 days.
- Average import dwell time is 2.9 days.
- North NIT (Port of Virginia) is estimated to be operational in late September.
CHARLESTON
- Average vessel waiting time for Charleston terminals is 1day.
LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH
- Vessel waiting time is up to 2 days for Los Angeles and 1 day for Long Beach.
- Terminal gates are running as published and in line with Pier Pass programme.
CANADA
MONTREAL
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
- Yard utilization is at 40% and vessel productivity remains high. Many services are arriving off schedule at the time of report.
- The rail car supply has improved and import dwell times reduced to 4.9 days. It is anticipated that the car supply will improve over the next week or so.
VANCOUVER
- Berthing delays of 2 day experienced at this port.
- Yard utilisation is steady at 71% and production levels are high.
- Average import rail dwell time is 2.6 days, with steady rail production.
SOUTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
Sea Freight
- Mentionable delay at Buenos Aires of 18 days.
ARGENTINA – Buenos Aires
- Berthing delays of 18 days.
- Yard utilisation is high and despite berthing delays, terminals are working normally.
BRAZIL – Santos
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Santos port.
- All terminals are working normally.
MEXICO
Altimera
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira port.
Veracruz
- Berthing delays of 0 days.
Manzanillo
- Berthing delays of 2 days.
- Yard is congested and the terminal is working on FIFO.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN.
Air Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
Sea Freight
- On the South Africa–Northwest Continent service, carriers are prioritizing reefer cargo through mid to late September, followed by dry containers. Dangerous goods (DG) face tighter restrictions, with limited bookings, no mixed DG classes per container, and a higher risk of rolls, impacting consolidation. The reefer “land” cut-off is 10 October 2025, making early September the latest sailing from South Africa, after which capacity is expected to ease.
- Seasonal delays are also anticipated due to European summer holidays, while congestion remains a concern. Transshipment hubs are improving, with Las Palmas now reporting only about one day of vessel waiting time.
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Antwerp port.
- High yard utilisation, and levels are critical.
- PSA and AGW have gate opening times to 5 days prior to vessel ETA.
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Le Havre port.
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Hamburg and 3 days at Bremerhaven.
- Terminal yards are at elevated levels but are stable with little impact on operations.
ITALY
- Terminals are congested with berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Genova and 6 days at La Spezia port.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Rotterdam port.
- Generally yard utilization is high, but stable. However RWG levels are critical with 80%-85% utilization.
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Barcelona port.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Istanbul port.
- Berthing delays of 3 days at Izmir port.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway port.
- Delays on container transshipments through London Gateway into Europe (Hamburg) continue; further impacted by reduced labour due to summer holidays.
MIDDLE EAST AND INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT
Air Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
Sea Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
INDIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Nhava Sheva and 1 day at Chennai.
- Capacity out of India is constrained; with carriers advising that they are booked until mid to end September. Carrier freight rate increases have been noted for September.
SRI LANKA
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Colombo port.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Jebel Ali.
ISRAEL
- Berthing delays of 3 days at Ashdod port and 1 day at Haifa.
- Ports are considered as essential services and are therefore expected to operate as usual. Port operations are conducted in accordance to guidelines as provided by relevant authorities.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Air Freight
Operating smoothly without delays.
With peak season fast approaching, rate increases as demand for space is expected.
Sea Freight
- Capacity remains tight and rates are currently stable, though at a premium. With Golden Week scheduled for 1–8 October, there is a possibility of capacity reductions, which could affect freight rates.
- Unscheduled transshipments continue as carriers’ published direct sailings are not guaranteed, and container routings may change without prior notice. This is expected to persist until the backlog in Singapore is cleared and capacity levels improve.
- Shekou / Yantian: 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
- Berthing delays of 1 day experienced at this port.
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.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port. Heavy vessel bunching and congestion being experienced.
SHEKOU / YANTIAN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Shekou and Yantian ports
- 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 0 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.
- As vessel capacity remains tight; full container transshipments may be delayed.
- LCL cargo moving through our Singapore transshipment hub is not seeing any delays at this time.
KOREA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Busan port.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 2 days experienced at Kaohsiung and 1 day Keelung.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Bangkok and 1 day at Laem Chabang ports.
NEWS ARTICLES
Notice from Ports Regulator South Africa
The Exporters Club has advised that the National Ports Authority has submitted its 2026/27 tariff application to the Ports Regulator of South Africa. The application, submitted on 1 August 2025, outlines proposed tariffs for the coming financial year, forecasts for the two subsequent years, and details on projected capital and operational expenditure. The full document is available on the Ports Regulator’s website. As part of the public consultation process, the Regulator will host a series of roadshows in August and September 2025 across Cape Town, East London, Gauteng, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, with one session held virtually. Stakeholders are invited to provide written comments by 30 September 2025, either by email to comments@portsregulator.org or by post to the Ports Regulator’s Durban office.
South African Port Productivity ‘Stagnating’, Despite Growing Volumes
21/08/2025
South Africa’s container ports have reported a near-return to pre-Covid throughput levels, with Transnet Port Terminals handling almost 100,000 TEU more in July compared to the same month last year. According to the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), this improvement reflects gains in equipment reliability, operational coordination, and stakeholder alignment. Container volumes are now only 2.1% below 2019 levels, which SAAFF describes as a hard-won recovery after years of disruption.
However, industry voices caution that the results highlight underlying challenges rather than clear progress. Some stakeholders point to capacity limits in Cape Town and Durban, as well as ongoing issues such as equipment maintenance, labour relations, and the lack of long-term infrastructure investment. While government has signalled interest in private sector participation, observers warn that without structural reform and meaningful upgrades, South Africa’s ports risk stagnation rather than sustained growth. Source
Upswing in LatAm-Africa Traffic, But Capacity May be a Challenge
28/08/2025
Trade between Africa and Latin America is emerging as a growth corridor, with forwarders reporting rising volumes in both directions despite weaker demand on traditional lanes such as Africa–Europe. Cargo flows are strengthening particularly in agribusiness, food, and industrial goods into southern Africa, while exports of agriculture and minerals from Latin America are steadily increasing. Industry voices from both regions describe the lane as one of the brighter spots in global trade.
However, limited direct ocean services remain a significant obstacle. According to eeSea, only two regular Africa–LatAm liner services are available each month, with some additional ad hoc sailings this year. This lack of consistent capacity often forces shipments to be routed via Europe or West Africa, lengthening transit times and putting pressure on vessel space. Forwarders note that during peak seasons carriers frequently roll bookings, while airfreight, though available, is costly and constrained.
Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress in air cargo capacity. Rotate’s Capacity Database reports LatAm–Africa capacity up 22% year on year, with strong growth from São Paulo and West African hubs such as Dakar. Carriers are closely monitoring the trade lane, but analysts caution that sustainable investment in both sea and air capacity will depend on steady volume growth. In the meantime, shippers are advised to plan ahead, secure space early, and remain flexible in routing to navigate this developing but capacity-strained market. Source
Port Improvement Strategy a Game-Changer for India’s Economy
28/08/2025
India’s port sector is seeing rapid transformation, with new infrastructure and private investment driving greater efficiency across supply chains. A standout example is Vizhinjam, the Adani Group-managed deepwater container hub in southern India, which has already handled 1m teu within nine months of commercial operations. The port is attracting increasing calls from MSC, including both feeder and direct mainline services, positioning Vizhinjam as a strong competitor to Colombo and other regional gateways.
At the same time, Nhava Sheva (JNPA) is benefiting from infrastructure upgrades and terminal expansion, giving carriers improved berthing flexibility and economies of scale. CMA CGM, through its partnership with JM Baxi, is consolidating operations at the refurbished Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal and shifting Europe calls on its Epic service from PSA Mumbai. This move reflects a wider trend of carriers seeking dedicated facilities to enhance schedule reliability under volatile market conditions.
These developments are part of a broader government strategy to boost maritime competitiveness, supported by policy reforms and a planned $1trn investment in the sector. Over the past decade, India’s port capacity has risen by 87%, while vessel turnaround times have halved to 48 hours. With further reforms expected, including new legislation granting greater autonomy to port authorities, India is positioning itself as a global benchmark in port performance and as a key driver of regional trade growth. Source
Shippers Should Expect Last-Minute Blanked Sailings as Golden Week Looms
28/08/ 2025
Shippers are being advised to prepare for possible last-minute capacity cuts ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday in early October, a period that traditionally disrupts global shipping schedules. While currently scheduled vessel capacity on major trades such as Asia–Europe and Asia–North America is higher than in recent years, analysts warn that carriers often announce blank sailings closer to departure during times of market uncertainty.
Data from Sea-Intelligence shows that capacity reductions planned so far fall short of historical benchmarks. For example, only 2.7% of Asia–North Europe capacity has been withdrawn this year, compared with an average of over 14% in previous years. Similarly, on the Asia–North America east coast trade, volumes are scheduled to rise 17% year on year unless additional sailings are blanked. Analysts estimate that matching last year’s Golden Week reductions would require as many as 21 additional cancellations.
Industry experts suggest shippers mitigate the risk of disruption by diversifying their carrier contracts rather than relying on a single provider or alliance. This approach can provide more options if blank sailings are announced at short notice. Overall, while demand indicators remain strong, the likelihood of late adjustments means businesses should prepare contingency plans to maintain supply chain resilience during the Golden Week period. Source
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
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
