European and US container ports, along with forwarders, are in a rush to adjust to the new reality of vessels from Asia being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope. This unexpected change is forcing a complete overhaul of expected arrival times and operational planning, according to an article published on Loadstar website.
Increased Transit Times, A Race Against The Clock
The diversion significantly increases voyage durations — adding about 10 days to North Europe routes and up to 15 days for eastern Mediterranean ports. For Asia-US east coast services, the extension is around seven days. This has prompted speculation that ships might speed up to secure terminal slots, intensifying the race to adapt to the new schedules.
Rethinking Shipping Strategies
Carriers are discarding their existing schedules, likened to starting from scratch, to optimally manage the ships’ turnaround in Europe. This involves intricate planning considering the onboard stowage configurations. Decisions about the rotation of alliance ships are now subject to negotiations with container terminals and alliance partners.
Tracking Challenges And Unconfirmed Diversions
eeSea, a maritime and supply chain intelligence firm, is grappling with the task of monitoring these unconfirmed diversions. With operators not officially confirming changes, the firm relies on AIS data and ship captains’ updates to track vessel progress. The situation is further complicated by ships that are “drifting” or anchored, with uncertain next moves.
Avoiding Past Congestion Scenarios
Container terminal operators are keen to prevent a repeat of the severe congestion seen in North European ports during the Suez Canal blockage in 2021. While current lower utilization levels in major European ports offer some relief, the challenge remains to avoid the clustering of large container ships, which could lead to logistical nightmares like relay operations and split shipments.
Communication Gaps And Customer Frustrations
There is evident frustration among NVOCCs and shippers due to inconsistent information from carriers, even within the same alliance. The industry struggles to keep customers informed amidst this uncertainty, with carriers seemingly more focused on implementing peak season and contingency surcharges than providing clarity on vessel statuses.
Conclusion
This situation highlights the complex nature of global shipping logistics and the ripple effects that changes in shipping routes can have on schedules, port operations, and supply chain management. Stakeholders across the industry are working to adapt to these changes, but face significant challenges in communication, planning, and operational execution.
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Source: loadstar
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