MARITIME TRANSPORT: ONGOING CHALLENGES

Faced with an unsettled geopolitical context, with the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea, tensions in every corner of the globe and various announcements from the US government, the supply chain is facing constant challenges as it tries to adapt, but not without difficulty. We take a look at the situation.

PORT CONGESTIONS

With sea times sometimes doubling, many ports, including major hubs, are suffering from port congestion. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean in one of the terminals of the port of Tangiers, the largest port outside the European Union, which is a hub for shipments to the Middle East, Asia, America and Africa.

The main northern European ports, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Le Havre, are also congested as a result of the port strikes earlier this year. Some delays are also being experienced in certain Asian ports.

This congestion leads to delays in both loading and unloading, and longer waiting times in transhipment ports.

EQUIPMENT SHORTAGES

The crisis in the Red Sea persists, and shipping companies are still avoiding the Suez Canal in favour of the Cape of Good Hope. Shipping times between Asia and Europe have increased by 7 to 14 days, or +33%, which can regularly lead to equipment shortages in both Europe and Asia, with direct consequences for the shipment of your goods.

BLANK SAILING

Faced with an uncertain international situation, and in order to maintain the market, shipping lines are announcing a large number of blank sailings over the coming weeks, particularly on major routes such as imports from Asia to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and exports from Northern Europe to North America.

These blank sailings can lead to delays in the dispatch of your goods, as well as higher costs.

In addition, the US administration’s decision to increase customs duties outside China to 10% for 90 days, and then cap them at that level, has caused the markets to react. Many exporters are restarting shipments during this transitional period, while shipowners are cancelling vessels.

The Trans-Pacific region, meanwhile, has seen a decline in trade due to the respective trade positions taken by the Chinese and American leaders.

Our teams are keeping a close eye on how the situation develops. Our real-time shipment tracking tool, BLS, also helps you keep track of your goods, providing real added value in these difficult-to-anticipate times. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.