Conditions at Chinese ports continue to improve, though market challenges persist. Vessel arrival times are being impacted by rough seas around the Cape of Good Hope and congestion at the Port of Felixstowe.
Chinese ports are now operating efficiently, with only occasional delays, which is a positive development. Service levels continue to improve ahead of Golden Week at the beginning of October, when ports and commerce will close for the public holiday. We are optimistic that these improvements will extend to Southeast Asian hub ports, though they continue to experience congestion at this time.
The challenges currently facing the market include:
Adverse Weather Delaying Transit Around Africa: This week, another vessel suffered container loses off the Cape of Good Hope. Similar incidents have occurred in recent months on Asia-Europe routes, with ships avoiding the Red Sea due to security concerns and facing winter storms instead. Fortunately, PFE’s customers’ shipments remain unaffected.
Congestion at the Port of Felixstowe: Delays in vessel departures from Asia is causing congestion at the port, with multiple delayed ships arriving simultaneously and queuing for berths. The reliability of arrival times is being affected by unpredictable waiting periods.
Persistent SE Asia Port Congestion: Severe congestion continues to affect major Southeast Asian hub ports, with Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas and Yangon experiencing significant delays, disrupting feeder vessel connections and impacting regular shipping rotations.
Backlogs in Bangladesh: Chittagong (Chattogram) Port is still addressing the backlog caused by recent civil unrest, compounded by severe flooding. Although full operations have resumed, the port is managing a buildup of containers, leading to ongoing delays in departures.
The accuracy of arrival times remains a significant challenge due to inconsistent information. Irregularities in shipping schedules and prolonged transit times are expected to cause continued disruptions through September, likely extending into Golden Week. We will continue to provide customers with regular updates on the current market situation.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your shipment, please contact our Customer Service Team at 01376 533039.
