Newsletter – May 26, 2021

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

Yantian Port halts entry for export containers

lloydsloadinglist.com
The Port of Yantian said it will stop taking in loaded containers as congestion at the export hub in Southern China deteriorates.
The restriction 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 the next four days. Read more here.

Threat to sailing schedules from new congestion problem at Yantian port

theloadstar.com
Severe congestion has resurfaced at Hutchison’s Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) in Shenzhen, prompting the port to stop accepting laden export containers last night.
YICT said: “Due to increasingly serious delays in vessel schedules, the container yard is now in high utilization rate, which seriously affects the efficiency of terminal operations. This also causes traffic congestion around the port area.” Read more here (login required).

Port of Rosario hit by another strike

splash247.com
A group of 11 unions that represent port workers issued a statement yesterday announcing a new work stoppage at Argentina’s ports. The workers are asking to be designated as essential workers, eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus. Read more here.

Key Chinese ship repair area hit by Covid-19, makes vessel calls tricky

splash247.com
The Zhoushan archipelago in eastern China is among the most important destinations in the world for ship repair.
Shipowners planning to send their vessels there will need to be aware of new local rules in place designed to limit the spread of new variants of Covid-19. Read more here.

Box prices surge in Europe as carriers favor loading empties

lloydsloadinglist.com
Container lines are in many cases still favoring loading empty containers for backhaul voyages ex-Europe, putting increasing pressure on shippers seeking export slots, although forward indicators suggest availability for exporters will improve in the coming months.
Pricing and availability indicators suggest that carriers are prioritizing getting empties back to Asia in order to maximize yields on headhaul services rather than wait for less lucrative backhaul cargoes, according to data from container leasing platform Container xChange. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Bangladesh extends COVID-19 lockdown till May 30

aninews.in
Bangladesh on Sunday announced extension of the ongoing lockdown until May 30 in order to control the spread of COVID-19.
Earlier on May 16, the government had extended the countrywide lockdown until May 23. Read more here.

Employee productivity suffers as e-commerce technology integration issues persist

freightwaves.com
Not surprisingly, the boom in e-commerce has driven more transportation and logistics (T&L) companies to invest in technology. With everything from warehouse automation to visibility tools, these firms are racing to meet demands of shippers and consumers.
But diving headlong into a tech investment could be costing these companies more than they know. Read more here.

Cargo crime risks increasing and evolving

lloydsloadinglist.com
Cargo crime risks are rising and evolving, with insurance specialists highlighting higher risks associated with the current supply chain disruptions and highly organized criminal gangs targeting goods that are in market demand – including, increasingly, lower-value goods that are easily sold. Read more here.

Bangladesh moves towards mandatory e-payment of all customs tariffs

theloadstar.com
To make export and import activities in Bangladesh quicker, the government has made electronic payment of all types of duties, fees and charges in customs houses of more than Tk2m ($23,500), mandatory from 1 July, the first day of the fiscal new year.
And, from 1 January 2022, duties and charges of any amount must be paid electronically, affecting customs in airports, seaports and land ports. Read more here.