| COVID Situation Melbourne As the COVID situation in Melbourne continues to worsen the Victorian government has announced a lockdown likely to be at least seven to 10 days long. We would like to remind all clients that Stockwell International falls under essential business and our Melbourne office is prepared to work from home without any disruption to service. For more information please contact your sales representative on 1300 786 468 or [email protected] |
| Sydney Seeks Booking Reductions It may only be May but with the current shipping landscape being what it is and seeing delay upon delay, further congestion issues, plus more additional charges it may be time to think about securing stock now for impending peak season or any future larger than normal orders to avoid disappointment and mainly stress. Stockwell International has had news of Sydney port authority asking carriers to reduce their Sydney imports. Sydney ports will also impose extra charges on carriers for the imbalance from 1 July. It is very likely we will see the congestion surcharges return soon. For more info on prepping for the Christmas crunch, see article here. The big day is over seven months away but the current shipping climate during unprecedented times shows the retail inventory-to-sales ratio has sunk to a new all-time low and that importers need to start considering moving away from JIT (just in time) shipping. Get in early and take advantage of Stockwell’s warehousing capabilities to ensure you get what you need in time for Christmas. For more info on increase of charges, see article below “New scheme at Port Botany to Tackle Container Problem” Stockwell International will keep you up to date with all relevant info as it becomes available. |
| New scheme at Port Botany to Tackle Container ProblemStockwell International has recently seen an article from NSW Ports regarding an increase of charges. “NSW Ports has announced its intention to increase port charges and introduce a new incentive scheme at Port Botany from 1 July 2021.The increase in port charges will be a CPI-based increase of 0.9% for all charges other than charges on empty containers for export.Under the new Port Botany Empty Container Incentive Scheme (ECIS), higher wharfage charges will be imposed for sub-optimal Load/Discharge ratios and conversely, wharfage rebates are awarded if L/D ratios are close to, or exceed, 1.0.Empty container congestion became particularly acute in the last six months of 2020 when the L/D ratio across Port Botany fell to less than 0.93. In the three-year period from FY17-FY19 (inclusive) the annual L/D ratio was between 0.98 and 0.99.”To read the full article from NSW Ports click here. |
| Yantian Port Halts Entry for Export ContainersStockwell has received information that central China is experiencing port congestion in Ningbo and Shanghai, as well as dealing with a COVID outbreak in Taiwan and South China. The port congestion level is expected to increase due to the quarantine measures implemented by local authorities. Port of Yantian has advised it will stop taking in loaded containers as congestion at the export hub in Southern China deteriorates. Restrictions will be implemented from 2200 hrs local time on May 25 to 2359 hrs on May 27 and will only be partly lifted afterwards for export boxes with their vessels expected to arrive at the port within four days. Pickups of import or empty containers, however, will still be allowed over the period. |
| DHL Weight Restriction USAStockwell International has received notice that DHL Express will implement a temporary weight limit restriction of 30 kg per piece (actual scale weight) for shipments only originating from and destined to the USA, in order to minimise pressure on main USA hubs. This restriction is effective Friday, 28 May 2021 and will be reviewed on Friday, 4 June 2021 for further consideration. |
Container Vessel Burns off Sri Lanka Coast The containership X-Press Pearl caught fire while at anchor off the Port of Colombo on 20 May. Image: Sri Lanka Ports AuthorityThe Sri Lanka Ports Authority has reported that, in co-ordination with other organisations, it is still working to contain the fire onboard the vessel.Reports indicate that until 25 May, the fire was under control. But on Tuesday, there was an explosion onboard and the fire spread. The crew of 25 have all been evacuated safely.The company in charge of X-Press Pearl, X-Press Feeders said “One of the seafarers has since tested positive to Covid-19 and has been transferred to a special facility in a military hospital for further treatment, he remains asymptomatic.”“The other 23 crew members are in a Colombo quarantine facility and are in good health. The crew members are in contact with their families and X-Press Feeders will continue to liaise with customers about their cargo.†The company said. |
| Hapag-Lloyd further expands container fleet 60,000 TEU of standard containers ordered due to increase in demand that has led to a shortage of containers across the world. “Severe imbalances – such as with exports from Asia, but also owing to congestion in ports and delays in hinterland transports – are causing containers to be tied up in transit for considerably longer periods of time” the shipping line said. Hapag-Lloyd has once again invested in its container fleet and with the order of containers from China |