DP World Status:
No change to the current status at DP World Terminals, the Maritime Union of Australia has however advised of on-going Protected Industrial Action now extended until 3rd February, 2024.
Government is still insisting it will not get involved in the dispute in an attempt to broker a deal, instead again advising both parties to seek a resolution via Fair Work Australia.
How much longer does industry need to put up with this strike action and work bans, it has been ongoing now for some 18-20 weeks and neither party appear prepared to make any compromises to their demands?
VICT Terminal Melbourne:
Protesters have forced the complete closure of VICT Terminal in Melbourne over the weekend and since, due to security concerns.
Police are still present at the scene whilst a ZIM Line vessel remains at berth, however VICT’s CEO Bruno Porchietto has advised that they are hopeful they will be able to open the gates at some point today subject to conditions.
Airfreight Arrival Charges:
Cargo Terminal Operators have announced another cost increase effective 1st February, 2024, the airline handling fee will increase by AUD 0.02/kg and the Airline AWB fee will increase by AUD 4.00 per shipment. The new charges have been uploaded to the GPSM rate portal and will appear on all invoices from 1st February, 2024.
Panama Canal Update:
Services from USA and Canada East Coast ports remain disrupted, both Maersk Line and Hapag-Lloyd have announced the following routing change to NZ and Australia to avoid the now long delays for Panama Canal passage:
From US West Coats, containers will ship by vessel to Manzanillo, Panama, be offloaded and railed or trucked to Bilbaoin Colombia where they will load to NZ and Australian ports. Naturally transit times will be impacted by around 10-14 days being added to the journey but better than the possible 2-3 week delays via Panama Canal, albeit with restricted Canal access
Red Sea Update:
Rebel attacks are continuing in the Red Sea, last weekend another tanker was targeted by a missile attack. Commercial shipping is generally avoiding the Suez Canal and transiting via Cape of Good Hope, the change in route is adding some 10-14 days to transit times from Europe, Scandinavia, UK and Mediterranean ports to Australia and NZ.