- Increased bunker demand stemming from shipping diversions due to Red Sea disruptions has led to berthing delays in Durban, South Africa.
- Ships calling for bunkers in Durban are encountering longer waiting times due to congestion at tanker berths, which are the only authorized berths for tanker bunkering in the port.
- For example, a recent incident involved a tanker vessel experiencing a 48-hour delay in berthing allocation, highlighting the impact of the congestion on bunkering operations.
Challenges in Durban
The surge in vessel traffic, resulting from diversions around the Red Sea conflict, has contributed to congestion at tanker berths in Durban. As a consequence, ships are facing difficulties in securing berthing space promptly, leading to delays in bunkering operations. The congestion at tanker berths underscores the challenges faced by ports in managing increased bunker demand amidst geopolitical disruptions affecting shipping routes.
Stable Bunker Operations in Namibia’s Walvis Bay
In contrast to Durban, Namibia’s Walvis Bay has maintained stable bunker operations despite facing high demand due to the Red Sea conflict. While experiencing increased bunker demand, Walvis Bay has not reported any backlogs in bunker operations, indicating efficient supply chains and streamlined bunkering procedures. Notably, key players like Monjasa, Oryx Energies, TFG Marine, and Bunker One have continued their bunker operations without significant disruptions.
Comparison of Waiting Times
While Durban experiences delays in berthing allocation due to congestion, Walvis Bay has managed to maintain prompt bunker services without prolonged waiting times. Despite the surge in bunker demand in Namibia, the average waiting time for bunkering has not increased significantly. This indicates effective management of resources and operations by bunker suppliers in Walvis Bay, ensuring timely delivery of bunkers to vessels calling at the port.
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Source: Engine
