May 17 2023 Customer Advisory Notice

NZ Local Update

Ports of Auckland and Tauranga have transitioned back to regular scheduled berth windows for arriving vessel. Unfortunately, with the reinstatement of berth windows will come a strict capping of lifts on vessels for offloading import containers and reloading export and empty containers for evacuation. Empty dehire yards appear to be improving but still nowhere near back to “normal” with bookings coming available at Auckland depots for dehire acceptance, though many of these are days in advance. Trucking companies are still requiring 72 hours’ notice for empty container uplift in order to secure a timeslot.

Due to increases in empty dehire yard fees effective 01st June our VBS charge for Auckland FCL Containers will increase to NZD 130.00 per container.

Asia Market Update

Currently in the Asia to NZ trade, lines still appear to believe lowering rates is the only option to keep up their load performance. May rates continued to trend downwards, and June rates look to be heading in the same direction across most lines.

Discussions with the shipping lines indicate that we have reached operating cost, but trade teams are still unsure where the bottom of the market will sit or when but they are hopeful rates will stabilise soon but this will be dependent on how much volume they can recover and how full their vessels are.

There has been a blank sailing and sailing schedules sliding on the NZS/KIX services next week ex Port Klang and Singapore to allow for schedule recovery. We are monitoring this situation.

Europe Market Update

Industrial and protest action in France and Germany is affecting some pick-ups, causing major disruption.

Shipping lines are offering rates and services ex Europe with rates also on a downward trend, however blank sailings are coming into effect more often as rate levels drop and demand deteriorates on the Europe to Asia legs.

We are seeing an improvement on tranship connections though Southeast Asia but there can still be delays particularly for cargo destined for Auckland due to lift restrictions imposed by the ports of Auckland. BMSB Season has ended. All departures ex Europe do not need any BMSB treatment or documentation. The season 2023/2024 will start again on 1st September.

USA / Canada Market Update

Weekly operations between West Coast USA and Auckland has resumed following the reintroduction of berth windows in Auckland. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) said in a press release a tentative agreement had been reached on “certain key issues” with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), but negotiations are still ongoing. “Talks are continuing on an ongoing basis until an agreement is reached.”

Australia Update

Cosco and OOCL have announced the introduction of a new trans-Tasman service (ANE/ANS) connecting Auckland to Bell Bay, Melbourne and Sydney. First voyage of vessel Contship Yen is expected to depart mid-May on a fortnightly schedule rotation. This service will add additional capacity that was lost due to the withdrawal of service by FOCUS Line in March.

Thank you for your continued support.

Please contact us for any inquiries:
Customer Service
Email: cs@freightworks.co.nz
Phone: 09 222 1150