October 29 2024 Customer Advisory Notice

NZ Local Update

KiwiRail’s reduced capacity between Port of Tauranga and Auckland Metroport continues to cause delays with containers being railed to Auckland after vessel discharge in Tauranga. Current transit time for priority containers is between 2 – 4 days and other containers upwards of 10 days. Kiwirail shut down a block of line for 3 days over Labour Weekend which is expected to further impact the rail times.

Singapore Airlines has announced an additional seasonal service direct into Christchurch with SQ295/296 due to commence with 3 flights per week in/out of Christchurch directly from 22 November through to 15 February 2025. This new service is on top of current daily flights on SQ297/298 flights.

While there is still congestion in the roading network we are pleased to be able to reduce our Auckland Network Congestion charge from NZD 95.00/container down to NZD 50.00/container effective 1st November.

FreightWorks has evaluated the FAF being charged to us by our carriers as of the 1st to 30th November 2024 and FAF rate will remain at 16%. This will be re-evaluated monthly.

Asia Market Update

Space ex China and Northern Asia Ports remains tight post Chinese New Years with blank sailings contributing to the lack of capacity. Maersk has introduced an exclusive new Northern Star service from late October running along side their current vessel share services but the additional capacity is not expected to be felt until later in November when roll pools catch up. General rate increase notices for November have been received but as yet we have not seen any actual increase in the rate offers.

Shipping lines have advised that their roll pools at tranship ports in Southeast Asia ports are almost gone so expect better connections on services transiting via Singapore and Malaysia.

Europe Market Update

Nationwide transport strikes in Spain have been announced scheduled for 28 October, 11, 28, 29 November and 5, 9, 23 December. Transport companies and unions are meeting to discuss key issues such as early retirement for drivers. The unions are advocating for improved working conditions, including a partial retirement scheme. The outcome of this meeting could impact the planned strikes.

With the situation in the Red Sea area ongoing carriers are stating that the Red Sea diversions are expected to be in place into 2025 and service adjustments have been made to accommodate this expectation. All shipping lines are struggling to maintain schedule integrity and reliability compared to advertised transits.

Tranship ports in Singapore and Malaysia are reporting an easing of congestion with roll pools beginning to reduce opening up more service options as lines begin to take bookings again.

USA / Canada Market Update

After 3 days of strike action on USA East Coast and Gulf Ports the ILA and USMX reached a tentative agreement ending the strike until January 2025 when further negotiations will resume. Operations have now resumed as normal.

The railroad interchanges at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have been experiencing extremely high levels of congestion recently. This congestion is causing delays for shipments that depart from or arrive at inland points such as Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, and Memphis. Off-dock import shipments are experiencing delays of up to 10 days in being moved from the port terminal to the rail staging area, followed by another 7 – 10 days to be loaded onto a railcar and moved out on a train. Export shipments are being delayed by 7 – 10 days as outbound trains wait for clearance to depart for the port terminals.

Australia Update

BMSB Season in Australia will commence from 1st September to 30th April 2025 (inclusive). Measures closely mirror those of last season, with the China and United Kingdom being identified as emerging risk countries and subject to random inspection.

ZIM Line have advised their intention to re-enter the Trans-Tasman market with routing via Melbourne and connections through to Asia in the second half of October. Further details to follow.

Cosco/OOCL are adding an additional third vessel to their Trans-Tasman service calling Melbourne, Bell Bay, Sydney, Auckland and Tauranga. The addition of this third vessel will enable this service to now run weekly instead of fortnightly from 21 November.