November 02 2023 Customer Advisory Notice

NZ Local Update

FreightWorks is proud to announce we have launched our new website https://freightworks.co.nz/ as well as new layout, content and market updates you will now have the ability to track shipments with one click using the “search for shipments” section located on the home page.

Labour shortages are causing disruption at Auckland’s Ferguson terminal.  Vessels arriving outside of their berth window are also causing disruption the flow on being VBS bookings are in short supply once vessels have discharged.

Empty dehire yards appear to once again be restricting delivery time slots for empty containers due to capacity constraints.

With a reduction in import container volumes, we are seeing CFS unpack times for LCL are continuing to see expected turnaround times usually within 48 hours of container discharge.

FreightWorks has evaluated the FAF being charged to us by our carriers as of the 1^st to 30^th November 2023 and FAF rate will remain at 22%.  This will be re-evaluated monthly.

Asia Market Update

Space remains at a premium ex North Asian ports with shipping lines advising their vessels are heavily booked to the end of November.  Early bookings are essential to ensure space can be secured.

Shipping lines have advised their intention to blank a sailing ex South East Asia week of 15 December which we anticipate will have an impact on cargo originating in this region and also tranship cargo form Europe which may cause further backlogs.

With increased booking volumes most shipping lines have indicated their intention to continue to apply Rate Restoration increases through November out of North Asia where South East Asia rates continue to remain steady.

Shipping lines are currently over booking their vessels to ensure all slots are full and then rolling or cancelling bookings last minute with no warning.

Europe Market Update

Due to the war situation declared in Israel, shipping lines are impacted by a significant increase of war risk insurance premiums.  Most lines have now announced a war risk surcharge with immediate effect that would be charged in addition to freight charges.

Blank sailings on both first leg and second leg routes in order to keep vessels full have been causing delays for containers moving out of Europe through Asia, with some lines limiting the number of bookings being accepted.

BMSB Season has now started. For the 2023 – 2024 BMSB risk season, BMSB seasonal measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured and shipped from target risk countries, that have been shipped between 1 September 2023 and 30 April 2024 (inclusive), and to vessels that berth, load, or tranship from target risk countries within the same period. If the container is from Italy, it must be treated offshore regardless of commodity unless it meets the ‘sensitive cargo’ exemption.  Please contact your FreightWorks representative for more details.

USA / Canada Market Update

The Panama Canal Authority has taken steps to reduce maximum ship weights and daily ship crossings in a bid to conserve water. Maritime transportation experts fear such events could become the new normal as rainfall deficits in the world’s fifth-wettest country spotlight climate risks affecting the ocean shipping industry that moves 80% of global trade.

Australia Update

Following on from our earlier notice we have received further notice DP World Australia has received additional Protected Industrial Action notices from the CFMMEU (Maritime Union of Australia division) for each of their Australian terminals at the following ports until the 13^th of November 2023.

Brisbane: 06/11/2023 to 13/11/2023

Sydney: 06/11/2023 to 13/11/2023

Melbourne: 06/11/2023 to 13/11/2023

Fremantle: 06/11/2023 to 13/11/2023

Australian port congestion has hit critical levels for breakbulk and Ro/Ro carriers due to bio-security concerns over seed contamination.  Delays have seen rates balloon with demand for space far outstripping supply and lead time increasing significantly and is further exacerbated by restrictions on the Panama Canal.  The situation is expected to last into 2024.