Good Day Clients & Partners,
Please find below the Freight & Logistics Update 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
Globally: Air cargo volumes are predicted by IATA to rise by 5.8% year on year, supported by e-commerce and Red Sea-related demand.
Imports: All services running smoothly.
Exports: Services ex ZA are all running smoothly, no major delays experienced this week, rates remain stable
Sea Freight
Imports: South African Ports continue to face congestions and delays primarily due to severe shortage of equipment and weather conditions.
While some measures, such as Transnet’s procurement of new equipment and funding initiatives, are underway, stakeholders advised to prepare for prolonged disruptions. Continuous monitoring is recommended for latest updates
Exports: Minimal vessel departure delays experienced at Durban Port. Services running much smoother than previous quarter.
Road Freight
Local: Services in full swing and running smoothly.
Chinese or Lunar New Year was celebrated from January 28 to February 4. As companies / suppliers / agents start to open we could see heightened congestion.
Port Updates
DURBAN
The port has experienced low wind speeds during the week. Appointment slots are constrained due to high volume of containers moving through Durban terminals. Increased delays in collection of containers experienced due to transport booking system limitations. All IDMs continue to move as scheduled.
- Pier 1 : Significant improvement going into 2025. No waiting time: productivity target met.
- Pier 2 : Significant improvement going into 2025. Max 0-2 days waiting time; productivity close to target.
- Durban Point : 3 days delay
CAPE TOWN
The port has experienced strong winds during the week. Normal volumes of traffic and operations continue as per normal. IDMs are moving as scheduled.
- CTCT : 0-1 day waiting time, limited wind delays, services on schedule.
- MPT : No waiting time, limited wind delays, services on schedule.
PORT ELIZABETH
The port has experienced windy weather during the week. Normal volumes of traffic and operations continue as per normal. IDMs are moving as scheduled.
- PECT : No waiting time, some wind delays. Terminal maintenance planned.
- NCT : No Waiting time, some wind delays, services on schedule.
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS
East African ports continue to experience congestion. Export scheduling to the region is erratic at present resulting in multiple changes to published schedules. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.
Air Freight
Imports: All services running smoothly.
Exports: All services running smoothly.
- Air France is no longer servicing: Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, Bamako Mali, N’djamena, Niamey. Cargo into Senegal on Ethiopian Airline has a +/- 2 week in advance booking due to capacity ex ADD-DSS.
- Kenya Airways have pulled all flights into Bangui – Central Africa Republic
Cross Trade – Air: Rates and availability are back to normal and services running well.
Sea Freight
Imports: Port congestions continue & erratic sailing schedule.
Exports: All services running smoothly, with no major delays.
Road Freight
- All consolidation and dedicated services are in full swing.
- Mozambique borders are operating as normal with services recently resuming.
- Botswana borders have experienced some delays due to recent flooding. Freight however has been rerouted and the transit times remain unaffected. More info here.
Port Updates
ANGOLA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Luanda port.
GHANA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Tema port.
IVORY COAST
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Abidjan port.
KENYA
- Berthing delays of 7 days experienced at Mombasa port.
MAURITIUS
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Port Louis.
MOZAMBIQUE
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Maputo port.
NAMIBIA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Walvis Bay port.
NIGERIA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Apapa port. High levels of congestion continue to be experienced leading to long queues for offloading and collecting containers. Please expect a potential disruption to delivery schedules.
SENEGAL
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Dakar port.
TANZANIA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Dar es Salaam port.
NORTH AMERICA
Air Freight
Imports: All services running smoothly with minor delays during transhipment.
Exports: All services running smoothly. Rates are stable.
Sea Freight
Imports: Port congestions continue as a result of the strikes & erratic sailing schedule
Exports: Services are running smoothly with minimal delays
Port Updates
CANADA
MONTREAL
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at this port. Vessel productivity is strong, but winter navigation restrictions are now in full effect.
TORONTO
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port.
VANCOUVER
- Berthing delays of 7 days experienced at this port.
USA
Terminals Updates:
- NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. New cranes have arrived at APMT and are currently being assembled and commissioned. While berth space remains limited, the upgrades will allow two vessels to be worked simultaneously.
- NORFOLK– Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days. Two cranes are out of service and are expected to be back working next week.
- CHARLESTON – Vessel waiting time is up to 6 days.
- SAVANNAH – Vessel waiting time is up to 9 days. Snowstorm had major impacts to vessel operations, nearly 3 working days lost. Influx from other southeast ports has created a significant backlog, port expects to be back to normal in approximately 2 weeks.
- MIAMI – Vessel waiting time is up to 5 days.
- HOUSTON – Vessel waiting time is up to 4 days.
- OAKLAND – Vessel waiting time is up to 6 days.
- LOS ANGELES/ LONG BEACH – Vessel waiting time is up to 3 days.
- SEATTLE – Vessel waiting time is up to 5 days. Effective January 6, 2025, T18 has moved to a 5 day a week operation.
Vessel Scheduling Amendments (iInformation below is correct at time of publication):
- Maersk Vilnius – with voyage 449S/502N had to cut and run in Cape Town. All shortshipped containers will be accommodated on the MSC Juliana III with voyage 503N.
- Nele Maersk – will phase out of the AMEX service after calling South Africa and will be replaced by the Oslo Trader.
LATIN AMERICA
Air Freight
Imports: All services running smoothly.
Exports: All services running smoothly.
Sea Freight
Imports: Vessel Scheduling Amendments (NB to note that these schedule amendments will impact both inbound and outbound cargo and container movements). Scheduling changes are announced by carriers with short notice.
Exports: All services running smoothly.
Port Updates
ARGENTINA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Buenos Aires port.
BRAZIL
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Santos port. Brasil terminal only working with 2 piers.
MEXICO
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Altamira and Manzanillo ports, and 6 days at Veracruz port.
NORTH WEST CONTINENT, UNITED KINGDOM, MEDITERRANEAN
Air Freight
Imports: Services running smoothly.
Exports: All services running smoothly. No major delays experienced this week, rates remain stable.
Sea Freight
Imports: Vessel schedule delays continue to impact the region. Amended port rotations and port omissions on the carrier services, as well as vessel changes, cascading / rolled schedules and blank sailings may result in amended LCL cargo loading schedules
Exports: Terminal delays experienced with exports to France. Considering the below port strikes, the situation will continue to be closely monitored.
Port Strikes in France: The strikes are expected to cause significant disruptions to port operations, impacting deadlines and equipment handling. Unions are staging strikes throughout February.
English Channel: Extreme Weather conditions continue in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, severely impacing vessel movement and port operations and might cause delays to South Africa bound vessels and vessels sailing North to Rotterdam/London. We will keep you informed if there are any significant deviations to the schedules.
Port Updates
BELGIUM
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at Antwerp port.
FRANCE
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Le Havre port. CNMP/GMP/TNMSC: Ongoing strikes in Le Havre with minimal impact on operations. Strike pattern is 4 hours’ operational disruptions on 3 separate days.
GERMANY
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Hamburg port and 4 days at Bremerhaven port.
ITALY
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Genova port and 1 day at La Spezia port.
NETHERLANDS
- Berthing delays of 6 days experienced at Rotterdam port. ECT: Ongoing labour dispute over the expired CLA with threats of strike actions but no confirmed action planned yet.
SPAIN
- Berthing delays of 3 days experienced at Barcelona port. FCL containers transshipping in Algeciras have expected delays of 1-2 weeks due to port congestion.
SWEDEN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Gothenburg port.
TURKEY
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Istanbul port.
UNITED KINGDOM
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at London Gateway port..
Vessel Scheduling Amendments (iInformation below is correct at time of publication):
- Santa Cruz – with voyage 250S will perform a split call in Durban. All imports will be discharged at DCT (Pier 2) and proceed to Pier 1 to load exports.
- Kalahari Express – with voyage 250S is delayed for arrival in South Africa due to bad weather experienced in Europe.
INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT & MIDDLE EAST
Air Freight
Imports: Services are running smoothly.
- In the Middle East however, airlines have suspended services to and from some countries/territories.
Exports: All services running smoothly. Rates are stable. No major delays experienced this week,
Sea Freight
Imports: All services running smoothly.
Exports: All services running relatively smoothly.
INDIA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Nhava Sheva and Chennai ports.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Jebel Ali port.
SRI LANKA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Colombo port. FCL containers transshipping in Colombo have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
ASIA PACIFIC (Including Oceania)
Exports: All services running smoothly.
Sea Freight
Imports: MSC announced Blank Sailing Week 6 from Trade Asia to South Africa. Space constraints are anticipated after Chinese New Year.
New Year cargo rush and bad weather causing vessel bunching are congesting major Asian Ports. The worst affected Ports includes Shanghai. Tokyo, Ningbo, Busan and Manila, although the lengths of delays varies by container line.
Ex China Ocean rates – that had climbed earlier during the pre-holiday rush have eased.
Most suppliers (60%) plan to return to work in Week 7, while 35% will be back immediately after the holiday ends on February 4. Depending on the demand and if there are large backlogs. Ocean carriers will possibly propose potential increases or GRI’s.
Exports: All services running relatively smoothly.
Port Updates
HONG KONG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
KOREA
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at Busan port.
MALAYSIA
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Port Kelang. FCL containers transshipping in Tanjung Pelepas have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
NANSHA
- Berthing delays of 4 days experienced at this port.
NINGBO
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
QINGDAO
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
SHANGHAI
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
SHEKOU / YANTIAN
- Berthing delays of 5 days experienced at Shekou port and 4 days at Yantian port.
XIAMEN
- Berthing delays of 2 days experienced at this port.
XINGANG
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at this port.
SINGAPORE
- Berthing delay of 1 day being experienced at this port. FCL containers transshipping in Singapore have expected delays of 1-2 weeks.
TAIWAN
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Kaohsiung port.
THAILAND
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Bangkok port.
VIETNAM
- Berthing delay of 1 day experienced at Ho Chi Minh port and Hai Phong ports.
NEWS ARTICLES
Port productivity continues positive trend
31/01/2025
South Africa’s ports continue to operate efficiently with minimal delays, low congestion, ample depot capacity, and improved equipment availability, according to Maersk Line. While strong winds briefly disrupted Cape Town, overall conditions remain positive, and the post-holiday period has not significantly strained infrastructure. In Mozambique, political tensions previously caused delays in Beira and Maputo, but the situation is improving, though wait times remain high. Meanwhile, Port Louis is recovering from last year’s productivity issues, with waiting times decreasing. Source
Congestion at box ports still plaguing Europe’s inland waterways
28/01/2025
Severe weather is increasingly disrupting inland container networks across northern Europe, causing delays, surcharges, and insurance challenges. Last summer, heavy rainfall led to flooding along the Rhine, halting operations, while a severe drought two months later further disrupted activity, driving up costs. These weather-related challenges have only worsened existing inefficiencies in Europe’s inland water network, with many calling for major reforms. Industry sources argue that operators need to improve vessel utilization, as many ships continue to sail with significant unused capacity, leading to widespread and persistent delays. Currently, congestion is reported at 67 hours in Antwerp and 57 hours in Rotterdam, with wait times of over 40 hours becoming the norm due to structural inefficiencies.
Insurance provider TT Club warns that weather-related cargo claims are likely to rise in the coming years due to damage caused by extreme conditions. These losses stem from various incidents, including navigation and berthing accidents, crane collapses, port equipment collisions, and flooding of infrastructure. Additional costs for emergency supplies, extra labor, and maintenance are also expected to increase, further straining the sector. Without structural changes and better preparation for extreme weather, inland shipping networks may continue to face growing disruptions and financial burdens. Source
Chinese New Year rush and threat of tariffs leaves box ports congested
28/01/2025
Global container port congestion has reached a three-month high due to China’s pre-New Year shipping rush and concerns over potential US import tariffs. Nearly 11% of the global container fleet, or 3.3 million TEU, is currently stuck at ports across Asia, Europe, and North America, according to Linerlytica. Chinese ports, especially those along the Yangtze River and Pearl River Delta, are experiencing heavy congestion as exporters rush to move goods before the holiday lull. The port of Yantian, a key hub for US-bound trade, has increased its container handling capacity by 15% to manage the surge. This congestion is expected to impact the transition to new container shipping alliances on February 1, offering mainline operators some relief from anticipated post-holiday underutilization.
Adverse weather and labor disruptions are further compounding delays, with severe storms affecting vessel movements along the US Atlantic coast and the English Channel. UK ports, including Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway, have been forced to shut down temporarily due to persistent weather warnings. Meanwhile, industrial action at French ports and ECT Rotterdam is slowing operations. Adding to the uncertainty, the implementation of US tariffs on Chinese imports remains unclear. While Donald Trump initially proposed a 60% tariff after his election win, President Trump later suggested a 10% tariff from February 1, only to indicate in a later interview that tariffs might not be imposed at all. China’s Ministry of Commerce continues to push for dialogue to resolve trade tensions. Source
Maersk dismisses fears over capacity constraints at key Gemini port
28/01/2025
Maersk is confident that Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) will handle its critical role in the upcoming Gemini Cooperation network, despite operating near full capacity in 2024. The Malaysian port, which has the highest number of calls in the Gemini network, is undergoing expansion, including new quay cranes and rubber-tyred gantries, to accommodate increased volumes. Additionally, Evergreen’s shift to Singapore, where it has partnered with PSA for a new terminal, is expected to free up capacity. Maersk’s Lars Michael Jensen emphasized that improved schedule reliability under Gemini will allow PTP to better manage operations, effectively increasing efficiency. However, the transition to the new network will take time, with full integration expected by June.
Meanwhile, service shifts are already underway as part of the global alliance reshuffle. Evergreen’s NEU6 and NEU7 Asia-North Europe services, which previously called at PTP, will move to Singapore in February, removing a combined 109,000 TEU of monthly capacity from the port. Additionally, MSC’s Britannia service, offering 44,000 TEU per month, will exit PTP in March as the carrier establishes its standalone network with Vung Tau and Colombo as its main non-China Asian ports. Despite these adjustments, Evergreen’s intra-Asia and feeder services at PTP remain unchanged for now. Maersk’s Johan Sigsgaard noted that vessels currently assigned to the outgoing 2M alliance will continue their rotations, meaning the full impact of Gemini’s operations will only become clear by mid-year. Source
CMA CGM maintains Cape of Good Hope diversion
28/01/2025
CMA CGM has announced that it will continue routing its Asia-Europe trade via the Cape of Good Hope to ensure the safety of its seafarers, vessels, and cargo. This decision follows the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on January 19, after which Houthi rebels stated they would halt attacks on commercial vessels, except for Israeli-owned or -flagged ships, in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. While the ceasefire brings hope for regional stability, CMA CGM emphasized that the situation remains fragile, and safety remains its top priority.
The shipping line stated that while most of its network will rely on Cape of Good Hope transits, adjustments may be made depending on security conditions. CMA CGM continues to monitor the situation closely and will update customers as needed. Other major carriers, including Maersk, MSC, and Hapag-Lloyd, have also chosen to avoid the Red Sea for now, favoring the longer but safer Cape route to mitigate risks. Source
Carriers hope price hikes will hold as spot rates fall in CNY doldrums
31/01/.2025
Spot rates on major east-west ocean trades continued to decline slightly despite the slowdown in trading activity due to China’s New Year holiday. With the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) temporarily suspended, Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) recorded the steepest drops on Asia-Europe routes, with the Shanghai-Rotterdam leg falling 5% to $3,274 per 40ft and the Shanghai-Genoa leg dropping 4% to $4,400 per 40ft. Xeneta’s XSI also showed an 8.5% decline in Far East-North Europe rates. Meanwhile, transpacific spot rates slipped 1% for both Shanghai-Los Angeles and Shanghai-New York routes, finishing at $4,771 and $6,288 per 40ft, respectively. Despite these declines, general rate increases (GRIs) of $1,000 to $3,000 per 40ft on Asia-US services are set to take effect on February 1, though their sustainability remains uncertain. Additionally, MSC and CMA CGM announced a new $1,000 peak season surcharge for transatlantic shipments starting March 1.
The Rotterdam-New York WCI leg fell by 2% to $2,732 per 40ft, while Xeneta’s XSI dropped 6% to $2,636 per 40ft. Analysts at Drewry expect further slight declines in spot rates due to increased capacity. Meanwhile, Japanese carrier ONE posted strong third-quarter results, reporting a 44% year-on-year revenue increase to $4.85 billion, driven by a 5% rise in volumes to 970,000 TEU. The company turned a net profit of $160 million, recovering from an $83 million loss in the same period in 2023. Vessel utilization remained high, with Asia-North America services fully loaded for the past nine months and Asia-Europe utilization reaching 98% in the last quarter. North America eastbound trade initially slowed but rebounded due to concerns over a potential strike at East and Gulf Coast ports. Similarly, Asia-Europe trade saw a slowdown at the start of Q3 following an advanced cargo rush for the holiday season but gradually recovered in November and December.
Looking ahead, ONE remains cautiously optimistic but acknowledges potential challenges in the coming months. The company expects a slowdown in cargo movement due to the traditional slack season and rising uncertainty in the business environment. However, it anticipates a gradual recovery in the supply-demand balance following the Lunar New Year. ONE has projected full-year revenue of $19 billion and a net profit exceeding $4 billion, representing a 30% improvement over its 2023 performance. 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
