The situation in the Middle East continues to affect sea freight and air freight services, with oil prices remaining high and continuing to place pressure on fuel costs and related surcharges. Separately, the fuel protests planned for this week have not resulted in any disruption.
Sea Freight Services Largely Stable
Diplomatic discussions linked to the ceasefire between the US and Iran remain ongoing, but carriers are continuing to take a cautious approach and clear assurances over safety are still needed before vessels resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This has not affected the Asia and Indian Subcontinent services PFE uses into the UK and Europe.
Oil prices remain high, and the impact continues to feed through into shipping fuel costs. The emergency fuel surcharges introduced by shipping lines remain in place and continue to be reviewed weekly. In some cases, vessels are also having to refuel at alternative ports, which adds further cost pressure. As previously advised to customers, UK hauliers have also maintained higher fuel surcharge levels following their latest review.
In the main, services are continuing to operate well, with arrivals holding up and no wider long-term impact yet materialising. Some localised delays remain possible, but overall port congestion is still limited and our core Asia and Indian Subcontinent services continue to operate normally.
Air Freight Space Remains Tight
Air freight services continue to face disruption due to restricted schedules linked to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Space remains extremely tight, and we continue to see delays both at departure and in transit as cargo competes for the limited capacity available.
Costs also remain extremely high, driven largely by the continued increase in fuel surcharges. The combination of restricted schedules, limited capacity and higher operating costs continues to place significant upward pressure on pricing.
Planned Fuel Protests Did Not Materialise
Earlier this week, we advised customers of the potential for disruption linked to planned fuel protests, including possible impacts on arrivals into Felixstowe and collections and deliveries across parts of the wider UK motorway network.
Fortunately, the disruption we highlighted did not materialise, as the action does not appear to have gone ahead on the scale first anticipated. There has been no resulting impact on arrivals, collections or deliveries.
Should you have any questions or concerns about your shipment, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team on 01376 533039 or email [email protected].
For Air Freight queries contact 01753 278020.
