Maersk’s Panama Canal Bypass Strategy

477

Maersk’s recent decision to incorporate a land link into its OC1 service, connecting Oceania to the US east coast while bypassing the Panama Canal, presents an intriguing prospect for forwarders. However, the success of this strategy hinges on maintaining sufficient capacity to meet growing demand, says an article published on loadstar website.

Summary

  • Maersk’s OC1 service will bypass the Panama Canal. Cargo from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific coast will be unloaded at the port of Balboa, transported by train to Manzanillo on the Atlantic coast, and then picked up by a vessel destined for Philadelphia and Charleston.
  • While Maersk assures no northbound delays, southbound shipments could face delays. Concerns about the canal’s long-term viability due to global warming persist despite recent increased rainfall prompting the Panama Canal Authority to raise daily transits.
  • DHL Global Forwarding has used the rail route for certain transit cargo. Transit time varies between 36 to 48 hours based on space availability. Carriers are responsible for directly moving cargo by rail.
  • Transloading introduces additional handling, impacting overall transit time. For clients dealing with pharmaceuticals or perishables, the solution may be less attractive due to the extended time required to reach their destination.
  • Maersk suggests an alternative to the isthmus rail crossing by continuing its weekly sailing from Oceania to the US west coast. The importance of preparedness is emphasized, with the need for sufficient trucking and rail capacity in case of increased demand.

OC1 Service Overview

Maersk’s OC1 service will no longer traverse the Panama Canal. Instead, vessels from Australia and New Zealand bound for the Pacific coast will unload cargo at the port of Balboa. Subsequently, the cargo will be transported across the isthmus by train to Manzanillo on the Atlantic coast, where it will be picked up by a vessel destined for Philadelphia and Charleston. The reverse pattern applies to cargo traveling from the US east coast to Oceania.

Capacity Challenges And Weather Concerns

While Maersk assures no northbound delays, there is a possibility of delays for southbound shipments. Recent increased rainfall prompted the Panama Canal Authority to raise daily transits, but concerns about the canal’s long-term viability due to global warming persist. Maersk’s 80km rail bypass may become a regular feature.

DHL’s Use Of Rail Route And Capacity Evaluation

DHL Global Forwarding has utilized the rail route for certain transit cargo, primarily serving customers of the Colon Free Zone. Transit time varies between 36 to 48 hours based on space availability. Carlos Herrera, DHL’s ocean freight head for Panama, emphasizes that carriers are responsible for directly moving cargo by rail, and forwarding services cannot use this service directly on a spot basis.

Bob Imbriani of Team Worldwide raises the crucial question of rail volume handling capacity. While port and rail infrastructure are currently adequate, Herrera emphasizes the need to raise rail capacity. With over 80% of cargo in transit, the current capacity stands at 500,000 TEU annually.

Impact On Transit Time And Cargo Suitability

Transloading introduces additional handling, impacting overall transit time. For certain clients dealing with pharmaceuticals or perishables, the solution may be less attractive due to the extended time required to reach their destination.

Maersk’s Alternative And Future Preparedness

Maersk suggests an alternative to the isthmus rail crossing by continuing its weekly sailing from Oceania to the US west coast. Herrera sees the relatively short transits for rail and truck as favorable compared to other routings, even if the canal situation worsens. However, he stresses the importance of preparedness, emphasizing the need for sufficient trucking and rail capacity in case of increased demand.

Potential Challenges And Rate Differences

Herrera notes that the rate difference between trucking from the Atlantic to the Pacific is currently no more than $200 per container. However, this may become a significant issue if trucking and rail capacities do not increase, potentially leading carriers to rely more on trucking for transshipments from both coasts if the rail reaches full capacity.

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe

Source: loadstar

13 COMMENTS

  1. Great article! That is the type of information that are supposed to be shared around the
    web. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this publish higher!
    Come on over and talk over with my website .
    Thank you =) I saw similar here: sklep internetowy and also
    here: dobry sklep

  2. Good respond in return of this question with solid arguments and
    describing the whole thing regarding that.
    I saw similar here: dobry sklep and also here: sklep

  3. I all the time emailed this web site post page to all my friends, since if
    like to read it next my friends will too. I saw similar here: dobry sklep and
    also here: sklep internetowy

  4. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right.
    This submit actually made my day. You can not believe simply how much
    time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
    I saw similar here: najlepszy sklep and also here:
    najlepszy sklep

  5. Wow, fantastic blog format! How lengthy have you ever been blogging
    for? you make running a blog glance easy. The full look of your website is excellent, let alone the content material!
    You can see similar: sklep internetowy and here sklep online

  6. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long
    as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
    My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours
    and my users would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.

    Please let me know if this okay with you. Appreciate it! lunasolix.top

  7. you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic

  8. What i do not understood is in truth how you are not actually a lot more smartlyliked than you may be now You are very intelligent You realize therefore significantly in the case of this topic produced me individually imagine it from numerous numerous angles Its like men and women dont seem to be fascinated until it is one thing to do with Woman gaga Your own stuffs nice All the time care for it up

  9. I have read some excellent stuff here Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how much effort you put to make the sort of excellent informative website

Comments are closed.