New Zealand Overview
Air Terminals
- Import cargo terminals are operating as normal.
- Export terminals are operating as normal.
Landside
- Kiwirail have indicated there will be a lengthy block of line on the Auckland rail network during the Christmas holiday season (potentially stretching until the end of January 2025) to allow a major upgrade prior to the launch of the Central Rail Loop in 2026. This will affect trains between Tauranga and Metroport. Due to the length of time required for the shutdown, containers will be ‘road bridged’ between Tauranga, Hamilton and Metroport & vice versa, utilizing container trucks in order to keep the service operating, albeit at a reduced capacity with inevitable delays and the potential for increased costs. More details will follow as soon as possible once the scope of the block of line finalizes.
- Starting January 1, 2025, the Port of Auckland will implement an increase to the VBS and EBS container slot charges.
- The Port of Auckland’s recent release, provided below, details the rationale for this adjustment. These changes will apply to containers moving on and off Jellicoe Wharf, Fergusson Wharf, and empty dehires at Fergusson Link.
Airfreight Update
North America
Imports
- We are beginning to experience some delays in transit and offloading due to capacity constraints. While overall capacity is reduced, delays are typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- Most consolidations are moving as planned. For shipments to LAX, please allow an additional day for estimated time of arrival.
Exports
- Consolidations are moving as planned, with capacity available on most carriers. United Airlines and Delta Airlines resumed daily flights starting October 28, and American Airlines resumed on October 29th. Additional capacity will be added with Hawaiian Airlines returning on November 16, and Air Canada on December 1.
Europe
Imports
- Additional security requirements for shippers are slowing down some shipments and complicating airline bookings. UK consolidations are being routed through Japan due to TSA restrictions in the US.
- Delays are currently being experienced from Frankfurt, London, and Milan, with the potential for further delays as November progresses.
Exports
- Consolidations are moving as planned, with available capacity on most carriers, thanks to increased capacity from USA-bound carriers returning to the market.
Asia
Imports
- Ongoing capacity issues from several origins continue to cause delays, particularly due to ocean freight delays and the shift of shipments to air transport, notable from Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
- Rates are fluctuating due to high demand and limited capacity.
- Singapore Airlines are facing backlogs and capacity shortages within the Asia region, which may result in additional delays.
Exports
- Consolidated shipments are moving as planned, with capacity available on most carriers.
Trans-Tasman
Imports
- Consolidations are moving as planned, with capacity available on most carriers.
Exports
- Consolidations are moving as planned, with capacity available on most carriers.
Ocean Freight Update
Asia
- Maersk advised last week they intend to increase their Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) from Asia by USD 250 per TEU from 9 November, which somewhat goes against forecasted trends. However, the biggest change is that NOR (Non-Operating Reefer) containers will now have the PSS applied in full (where they were previously exempt).
- Capacity remains tight, with the final sailings to secure arrival prior to Christmas departing over the coming weeks. Our expectation is that the vessels arriving between 20 December and 5 January will likely sail light (potentially even blanked by the lines) with the sailings scheduled for the following year to start painting a more accurate picture of what we should expect in the lead up to the Lunar New Year celebrations.
- On the note of the Lunar New Year break, this will be slightly earlier this year, from 29th January. We encourage all customers to engage with their suppliers early to try and get bookings lodged as soon as possible.
- Port congestion remains an issue in the major transhipment ports and second leg transits are being affected by this.
- Space remains tight on some NZ export services to Asia. We recommend booking at least 4 weeks in advance in order to secure. Please check with your Key Account manager for options.
Trans-Tasman
- Cosco and OOCL are adding a third vessel to their ANE service. The “Pride C” joins the service November 21st, enabling a weekly direct schedule between Melbourne, Bell Bay, Sydney, Auckland, and Tauranga.
- Impending increases around the Landside and Ancillary charges at Australian ports in January 2025.
- Last week Patrick, DP World, and Vict. complied with this requirement giving 60 days’ notice for their increased charges commencing 1 January 2025. Furthermore, Patrick and DP World who operate stevedore operations nationally, also announced their increases in Brisbane, Port Botany and Fremantle.
- The WSN Service from Auckland to Australia is heavily booked.
Europe
- BMSB season started on September 1st with the same policies and procedures as last year. Also refer to the ‘New Zealand’ and ‘Australia’ sections of our View from the Bridge for in depth detail on requirements, restrictions, and target countries.
- Peak export season from Europe after summer holidays has filled up some sailings. Currently, 3-4 weeks’ notice for bookings is best to be safe.
- On-going attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have made all container carriers to NZ avoid the Suez Canal until further notice. There will be delays of approximately 2-3 weeks and extra costs as shipping lines reroute via Cape of Good Hope.
- Vessels are off window arriving into Europe from the Cape. On time arrivals are as low as 21%. This is causing the weekly schedules to be disrupted. This is particularly bad from the UK, where containers are regularly being left behind at the terminal.
- Floods in Valencia have damaged many warehouses.
- Container shortages are happening particularly at depots that are further inland, e.g., Czech
Republic, Austria. - There are equipment shortages in Turkey.
- 20’ reefers are in low supply across Europe.
- Congestion in Singapore is causing delays in transit of 1-2 weeks.
North America
- Vancouver Port Strikes – The Longshore Workers Union (ILWU514) issued a 72-hour strike notice to the BCMEA, with strike actions set to begin on Monday November 4th 2024, at 8:00am PST. This strike impacted all container terminals in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, shutting down vessel, rail, and truck operations. In response, the BCMEA has issued a coastwide lockout notice, effectively shutting down both ports effective November 4th 2024. There is no timeframe for when this situation may be resolved. During this period, vessels will be held from berthing.
- Panama Canal services for ANP/OC1 service – Continuing low lake levels in the Panama Canal are adversely affecting vessel deadweight capacity. Space is restricted and vessels are booked 6-8 weeks in advance of departure.
- West Coast North America – There are only 3 WSN departures every month until Christmas. All vessels are heavily booked with booking lead times of 6+ weeks.
- US and Canada Port Congestion – There is significant port congestion in the US, and the Vancouver strike action will result in congestion and delays. Seattle Terminal 18 will be closed every Friday in November.
- Still recovering from the East Coast Strike USA, a couple of skipped sailings are apparent on the calendar for December. There are space constraints, so please book your FCL space early to avoid “Vessel Sold Out”.
- US Customs continue to inspect FCL from USA to NZ and Australia.
- ANL cancelled their USA GRI which was scheduled for 1st November.
Customs Update
Reminder of BMSB Season from September 2024 to 30th April 2025.
For more specific information / requirements please ask your Harders NZ Key Account Manager.
We will continue to evaluate all market options and work with you to provide individual solutions for your business.