Newsletter – December 14, 2021

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

101 ships spread across 1,000 miles waiting for berth space at LA and Long Beach

splash247.com
Out of sight, yet growing day by day, the number of containerships straddling the Pacific shoreline waiting for berths to open up at Los Angeles and Long Beach is now in excess of 100.
Spread out across 1,000 miles of North American coastline, stretching deep into Mexico, there are 101 boxships anchored or loitering, waiting for space at America’s twin top gateways, according to the latest data from the Marine Exchange of Southern California. The typical pre-pandemic fortnight’s passage for ships transiting from Asia to North America is now soaking up enormous capacity with some voyages taking longer than 45 days to berth. Read more here.

Ningbo tightens port entry amid surging infections

lloydloadinglist.com
Rising coronavirus cases have forced the world’s third-largest container shipping harbour to tighten restrictions.
Container truck drivers will be subjected to inspections of digital health documents before entering China’s Ningbo port. The changes took effect from December 12. Read more here.

Four major threats almost guaranteeing another challenging year for shippers

theloadstar.com
The fractious relationship between ocean carriers and their freight forwarder and NVOCC customers is seen as one of four key disrupters to the supply chain next year, by maritime consultant Drewry. Read more here.

India opts for a hi-tech solution to empty box crisis at main ports

theloadstar.com
As equipment availability continues to remain tight, Indian logistics leaders are pulling out all the stops to restore equilibrium in an unbalanced market.
The latest move is a digital play to counter carriers’ persistent reluctance to share data on empties. Read more here (login required).

Workers reject politician’s ‘irresponsible’ call for trucker strike at Port Klang

theloadstar.com
A Malaysian politician has been slammed as “irresponsible” after calling for a truck driver strike at Port Klang, even as the major South-east Asian transhipment hub grapples with severe yard congestion.
Last week, assemblyman Azmizam Zaman Huri reportedly said truck drivers serving Port Klang could strike if the government didn’t upgrade roads leading into to the port. Read more here (login required).

GROUND AND RAIL FREIGHT UPDATES

Trucker satisfaction survey swerves around port congestion

freightwaves.com
Most of the truck drivers responding to a recent survey by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) are happy with the type of organization they work for – whether they are a company driver, an independent contractor leased on to a carrier, or an owner-operator with their own operating authority. Read more here.

November trailer orders rebound but supply chain issues are likely worsening

freightwaves.com
Trailer orders rebounded in November as manufacturers took orders that will push backlogs into the third quarter of 2022. Is the supply chain improving or is it just wishful thinking?
“I think this is a blip,” David Giesen, vice president of sales at Wisconsin-based Stoughton Trailers, told FreightWaves. “The supply chain really hasn’t improved, and in some cases, it has worsened.” Read more here.

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Government of Canada invests in four projects to increase efficiency of cargo handling in the Lower Mainland

canada.ca
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada’s trade corridors, which support our supply chains, help grow our economy, ensure its recovery, as well as create good, middle-class jobs.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced $8.7M in funding for four new projects under the National Trade Corridors Fund, which will help to improve operational efficiencies at one of Canada’s major export gateways. Read more here.