CONTAINER SHIPPING OUTLOOK 2024: RISING RISK OF DELAYS, DISRUPTIONS
The supply chain crisis is long over, but America’s importers still have a lot to keep them up at night as they plan for 2024. Two key container shipping “chokepoints” — the Panama Canal and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea — are simultaneously under threat. Container-line financials are under severe pressure, forcing ever more vessel sailings to be canceled. The dockworkers union serving East and Gulf Coast ports is threatening to strike next October. While freight rates are low, concerns over delays in import shipments are high.
US NAVY ASSISTS TANKER AFTER MISSILE STRIKE HANSA TANKERS
THE VESSEL WAS PASSING THROUGH THE BABEL MANDEB WHEN IT WAS HIT BY THE MISSILE. THE VESSEL REPORTED DAMAGE AND A FIRE ON BOARD THE VESSEL BUT NO CASUALTIES AT THIS TIME.
An American navy warship is assisting the 20,000 tanker Strinda following what the US authorities report was an anti-ship missile attack on the tanker which has caused a fire on the vessel.
The 2006-built tanker, operated by the Norwegian company Hansa Tankers was hit by the missile at around 9 pm GMT, with the vessel reporting damage and a fire on board the vessel but no casualties at this time. Some US trade now diverted from the Panama Canal heading to the US east coast via the Suez Canal the risks to trade are even greater.
SUEZ CANAL RAISES REBATES ON TANKERS AND BOXSHIPS TO LURE SHIPS AWAY FROM PANAMA Suez introduces discounts on long-distance product tanker trips between South America and Asia The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) softened the impact of a 15% toll hike due to take effect next month, by announcing higher rebates for tankers and container ships on selected long-distance trades.
In a move that seems designed to poach clients from its drought-struck rival, the Panama Canal, the new set of measures introduces a 75% discount for product tanker voyages between the Americas and Asia.
APM TERMINALS CALLAO COMMENCES $95 MILLION EXPANSION
The company held a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony in the presence of Dina Boluarte, the President of Peru, Walter Tapia, President of the National Port Authority, and the minister of transport and communications, and the minister of foreign trade and tourism.
The expansion works will include the construction of a battery of 12 vertical silos for clean grains. This will increase capacity from 25,000 to 85,000 tonnes. And the construction of 2.13 hectares of paved areas and significant improvements at the access gate for general cargo will also be carried out.
