The TP6 string Maersk Essen arrived into APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico on Saturday, January 30, 2021, reports Maersk.

Maintenance

She will undergo standard discharge of damaged containers and weather-related repairs – which will entail a longer port stay than normal (due to a slower pace for cargo handling procedures for damaged containers with extra safety precautions).

Our current plan shows the vessel is scheduled to depart February 12-16 (subject to change) for Los Angeles, resuming regular TP6 string scheduled calls. Should this date change, we will keep you informed.

 A request from Maersk

Regarding US Customs, Maersk asks that you please do not file any import entries with US Customs at this time. Let them review the details for all cargo onboard – and specific instructions related to your cargo will follow.

Lastly, it is important to note if your cargo travels with house and master bills of lading that adjustments might be required as we determine more specific cargo-related impacts. Maersk will also share those specifics with you as they become available.

Your supply chain is of the utmost concern to us and they will continue to keep you informed of all developments. In addition, their customer experience representatives will continue to keep you updated directly.

Today’s Updates 

Arrival

The vessel will arrive at the APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico berth on Saturday, January 30, 2021. The plan is to inspect the vessel and any damaged cargo onboard and then determine cargo options.

Our approach to the incident

Maersk’s Incident Management Team has met daily since January 16th as part of their global approach to these situations. The team is comprised of Maersk functional experts from global security/business resilience, nautical, port, operations, customer service, communications, legal, claims, procurement and landside cargo execution.

Scenario-planning

While awaiting the Maersk Essen’s arrival into port to obtain a more accurate assessment of cargo impacted – they are exploring these options

Damaged containers onboard

Maersk will discharge any damaged containers and inform you if your cargo is impacted and work with you on next steps. The amount of time to discharge the damaged containers is not clear yet – they will have clarity once the vessel arrives into port, a damage assessment is performed and port operations get underway.

Potentially Damaged containers

Routing updates have been made in their systems to reflect the Lazaro Cardenas discharge for the containers that are potentially damaged. As a result of these changes, you will receive a notification if you are subscribed on Maersk website. If you are tracking your shipment on Maersk website you will see the updated routing as well.

It will appear as if the Maersk Essen is performing a transshipment, but they will likely change the final inbound vessel and/or routing into LSA. This is a follow up to the previous communication your team received last week as they work through the necessary updates.

Containers with no damage

Maersk evaluates four routing options to handle your cargo

Scenario 1

Cargo remains onboard/vessel sails Lazaro Cardenas to Pier 400 Los Angeles

Maersk is hopeful they will be able to remove the damaged containers (located above deck) in Lazaro Cardenas and then sail the vessel to APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles, California (the original port call) for normal discharge operations.

Supply chain-wise, this is a three-day sailing time – however there is likely a 14-day wait period to enter the port (which is the current vessel backlog into LA-Long Beach). Once at berth this could still be a 6-day period to discharge the vessel due to the current ganging restrictions in the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach.

Supply chain timing: this scenario is also contingent on the amount of time spent in port in Lazaro Cardenas to remove the damaged containers and make any repairs to the ship. (the exact number of containers that are damaged and the specific repairs to the vessel are still unknown at this time – they do not know until the vessel inspection).

Scenario 2

Load Maersk Essen cargo on another vessel in Lazaro Cardenas for transit to Los Angeles

This scenario involves discharging containers in Lazaro Cardenas and loading on another vessel/service to Pier 400 Los Angeles. Maersk is exploring options for available space and timing. This scenario would involve a three-day vessel transit plus a 14-day waiting time at anchorage in Los Angeles to enter the port – and then 3-6 day stay at berth for discharge.

Supply chain timing: this scenario is also contingent on the amount of time in port in Lazaro Cardenas to remove the damaged containers and make any repairs to the ship. (the exact number of containers that are damaged and the specific repairs to the vessel are still unknown at this time – they do not know until the vessel inspection).

Scenario 3

Cargo routing via rail by Kansas City Southern (KCS) to Los Angeles and final destinations as originally booked

This scenario entails inland rail routings across Mexico and across the US border.

Maersk is working with KCS to determine timing and rail capacity. Depending on US location, this could range from 7-12 days best case scenario.

Scenario 4

Customers consider leaving cargo in Mexico for use in their Mexico City supply chain

For those customers willing to leave cargo within their Mexico supply chains, APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas has daily departures with dedicated trains to Mexico City’s 21 million consumer market.

These scenarios are not confirmed options yet – but in the interest of time Maersk wanted to share their thought pattern on how they get your cargo moving to support your supply chain planning.

Maersk will be back in touch with more concrete options – once they see the vessel in port and understand the magnitude of cargo on deck that is damaged and the time to remove it – and the time to make any repairs to the vessel.

Your supply chain is of the utmost concern to Maersk and they will continue to keep you informed of all developments. In addition, their customer experience representatives will continue to keep you updated directly.

22 January 2021

Update

In yesterday’s advisory, Maersk communicated that the Maersk Essen is proceeding to Lazaro Cardenas to assess the condition of the vessel and cargo onboard, and they expect this process to take a matter of 2-3 weeks. All going well, the intention remains for the Maersk Essen to then call Los Angeles to deliver the cargo that is unaffected. At this point in time they are not anticipating the need to reroute the cargo from Lazaro Cardenas by land (rail) or alternate vessel, but they cannot rule out any option until the contingency plan is finalized.

What you can expect?

With regards to potentially damaged containers,  Maersk has conducted a preliminary assessment onboard and you will be receiving a separate communication with the initial status of your containers by Monday Jan 25, if not already. They will however re-evaluate the condition of the containers onboard once a more detailed inspection is completed in Lazaro Cardenas and will send you additional updates.

21 January 2021

 Update

Maersk wanted to let you know that their Crisis Management Team is directing the Maersk Essen to call the port of APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico (on the Pacific coast). Subject to vessel clearance and other formalities, the expected berthing date is January 29, 2021. APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas is a modern, deep-water port that serves Mexico City.

Considerations

Maersk’s decision was based on the need to remove damaged containers and conduct vessel repairs onboard which will entail a lengthy port stay. They explored all alternative port call options on the US West Coast from Tacoma to Los Angeles/Long Beach – and none were deemed feasible due to berth availability.

They realize this is not the original port call at APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles scheduled for January 28th – and apologize for the inconvenience and disruption to your supply chain.

What you can expect?

Once the vessel berths in Lazaro Cardenas, they will be able to get better access to the affected areas and survey the condition of the containers onboard. As this information becomes available, Maersk will re-evaluate routing options for the cargo and the vessel’s onward schedule. It is therefore not known yet when the vessel and cargo will arrive in Los Angeles, but they expect a delay of 2-3 weeks compared to the original transport plan.

20 January 2021

To keep you informed, the TP6 Maersk Essen’s rough sea encounter has resulted in approximately 750 containers overboard – along with additional damaged containers onboard. More details will be known as surveys continue and once the ship arrives in port.

The ship is sailing in smooth seas now while they evaluate the best port of call to handle the discharge of the cargo and the repair work on the ship. Since the Saturday, January 16th incident, their Crisis Management Team has met daily to evaluate the next steps.

Maersk’s customer experience representatives will be contacting you to provide more details on the cargo affected and the next destination of the vessel, as more information becomes available.

18 January 2021

Maersk regrets to inform you that the TP6 vessel – Maersk Essen 051N – experienced heavy weather on the 16th January 2021, while en route from Xiamen, China, to Los Angeles, California.

Their preliminary reports indicate that a limited number of containers have been lost overboard and a number of containers are damaged onboard. All crew members have been reported to be safe and the ship is safe.

Maersk is currently assessing suitable port options to berth the vessel and will keep you informed of the port location decision and timing. In the meantime, they are awaiting further updates from the vessel regarding potentially impacted containers and will share the details once available.

Maersk apologizes for the inconvenience this incident may cause to your business. In case of any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local Maersk professional.

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Source: Maersk