Newsletter – December 13, 2021

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Seroka: National Guard is ‘backup plan’ for LA port congestion

freightwaves.com
The Port of Long Beach reported Thursday it handled 8.6 million shipping units through November, smashing its all-time annual volume record before the year is done amid relentless consumer demand for imported goods. Next door in Los Angeles, the port director said using the National Guard to evacuate containers is still an option if more cargo lingers beyond its move-by date and terminal congestion worsens again. Read more here.

Box spot rates climb to new highs

splash247.com
In a year that has felt like one long Christmas for liner operators, a bumper end of year bonus is materialising to cement 2021’s position as the greatest period of earnings in the history of the sector.
Spot rates, which had showed signs of plateauing over the past five weeks, are now heading northwards again, breaking into new record territory, as are figures for longer term contracted business. Read more here.

Container collapse accident off Alexandria

splash247.com
Stormy conditions last Wednesday off the Egyptian port of Alexandria saw a boxship lose three containers overboard and another slew of boxes become dislodged and damaged during transit.
The 2000-built, 3,013 teu Wadi Alrayan was hit by large waves last Wednesday evening. The ship, belonging to Egypt’s National Navigation Co, then made for Alexandria’s outer anchorage before coming in to berth on Friday. Read more here.

The (N)Ever Forgotten

splash247.com
She’s stuck! When the world woke up to the iconic image of the Ever Given stuck near sideways in the Suez Canal, 2021 became the year the public discovered shipping.
Yes, the early Covid days with empty stock shelves (heightened by panic buying) and long shipping delays whilst the entirety of the globe’s population sat at home to ‘wait it out’ heard grumblings through those near and dear to the supply chain touch points. However, the general public knew naught of the humble containership and the thousands of containers at sea (and… in the sea, thanks ONE Apus). Read more here.

Reports of ocean freight disruption easing may be exaggerated

lloydsloadinglist.com
Reports of an easing of supply chain congestion may be exaggerated as dwell times and vessel delays continue to increase around the world.
Claims that the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles had seen a reduction in dwell times of containers following the threat of fines and the offer of incentives has been counterpointed by research that shows a build-up of export containers, not just at the San Pedro Bay ports, but at major ports globally. Read more here.

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Waiting for the dam to burst: Pent-up demand held back by supply chain

fleetowner.com
Manufacturers of cars, trucks, appliances, and phones struggle to acquire the essential components to complete the products that drive the U.S. economy and create the freight that keeps trailers full and trucking in demand. An improved supply chain would lead to an economic boost in 2022. But when in 2022? Read more here.