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Idle Ship Capacity is dwindling ...
What does this mean?
Throughout the month of May, ocean industry headlines have reported that the number of "idle" or "parked" vessels is decreasing as ocean carriers launched new services to keep pace with rising cargo demand in the summer peak shipping season.
The Journal of Commerce and IFW-net both reported on May 25th and May 26th respectively that according to Alphaliner, a Paris based consultant company, the number of idle container ships shrunk by nearly one million TEU, or 20-foot equivalent units over the past six months.
As of the 3rd week of May, the vessels that remain "unemployed" stood at 549,000 TEUs, which is down from the peak number of over 1.522 million TEUs during December 2010.
While these signs point to positive future trends for available space and capacity, carriers will continue to be conservative in terms of how much and where the capacity will be deployed. This conservative approach is intentional as carriers dig their way out of the "red."
To date, most of the capacity that has already returned to service has been in the Asia to Europe trade. While importers in the USA are currently in need of space and equipment, carriers are advising that additional vessels and equipment will be deployed in the next 30 to 60 days in the Asia to USA trade. They have indicated a similar scenario in the export trades from USA to Asia and Europe, although the effects will not be immediate. Patience will remain the virtue for import and export sea cargo for the next 6 months.
June Congestion Alert!
At press time, the following port locations were reporting congestion:
- China = Remains at critical congestion stages as peak season commences. North China (Qingdao, Xingang, Tianjin, Shanghai and Ningbo) remain the most congested.
- Korea = As a transshipment point, Busan remains heavily congested for relay cargo.
- Peru = The port of Callao recently reopened after a port strike. Residual delays and congestion might apply.
- Jamaica (Kingston) = for both transshipment / relay and direct cargo.
- Colombia (Buenaventura)
- Greece (Piraeus)
- South African ports
- North African ports (Tripoli / Algiers)
- Venezuela ports (Puerto Cabello / Guanta). Venezuela shipments require prior approval.
- West Africa (Luanda / Angola)
- Nigeria (Tincan / Apapa)
- Haiti (Port au Prince) Limited port operations are handling goods in addition to disaster relief supplies at this time.
Please be advised that ocean carriers may temporarily enact "Port Congestion Surcharges" in times of peak volumes. Contact your AIT representative in the event of any questions or concerns.
Update: United States Gulf Ports Status
As of press time, the sea ports of New Orleans and Houston do not yet report any delays, re-routes or closures due to the recent Deepsea Horizon oil rig spill and clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The Alabama State Port Authority, which operates the sea port of Mobile, reports
that the Port of Mobile remained open.
Throughout the month of May, the AIT ocean pricing and operations team were actively seeking and securing space for import and export shipments alike. Ocean exports from the USA around the globe are also very much in full swing and it appears 2010 will be a strong year for ocean exports. AIT is definitely in the middle of the action and can pursue various alternatives with our vast array of available carriers in our network. On behalf of the entire AIT Ocean Systems team, thank you for your ongoing support!
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Ocean eNewsletter,
please contact Kevin Krause from the AIT Ocean Department. |
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