General information
* Please scroll down for day-to-day updates
After a six-day stop on export containers, the Yantian Port Authorities have announced that productivity is gradually set to increase as more workers return and more berths reopen. While this has a positive impact on gate activity, which is soon expected to reach the same levels as before the incident, schedule reliability will continue to suffer with an average waiting time of 16 days and counting. To mitigate impact as best as we can and give our customers as much visibility into the situation as possible, below please find the plan for the remainder of the month, with 19 of our mainline services being impacted.
To this date, with the information currently at hand, we believe the above to be the best course of action. This plan has been formed together with our partners and with our customers at the front of our minds. In diverting our vessels, we are closely monitoring the situation in neighbouring ports. The current average waiting time in Shekou, Nansha, and Hongkong is between 2-4 days, but as more carriers omit Yantian, this number is expected to rise. Deciding which port to divert to will always be made with the objective of minimising supply chain delays. Should the current outlook change, we will update our plans and inform you accordingly.
We also want to advise that shipments not directly impacted by the Yantian situation might also be affected as we adjust our network to avoid port congestions and to limit the overall net loss of ocean network capacity due to omitting the Port of Yantian.
In giving you this information, we hope you have sufficient time to manage your supply chain accordingly, which is of the utmost importance to us. Our teams are working around the clock to alleviate pressure points, so do not hesitate to reach out for an individual assessment as of what this means for you. First and foremost is working together to proactively plan the handling of delayed cargo, prioritizing the most urgent/critical goods to be shipped first.
June 17, 2021 - Update 13
The well-being of your supply chain is always our top priority. The full impact of pandemic in Shenzhen & Guangzhou and the ripple effect of the recent Yantian/Shekou/Nansha port congestions may have caused disruptions for your supply chain. Maersk aims to provide you, as our valued customer, with the most relevant and up-to-date information so that together we can navigate this period of heightened volatility and keep your supply chain moving.
Key Highlights
- Yantian yard density reduced to 69% while the yard density of Shekou and Nansha port remains high. We expect continued vessel omissions and vessel delays at Yantian port upwards of 4 days in the coming week.
- Operation in the eastern area of the terminal where mother vessels mainly berth is gradually recovering to about 54% of its normal level.
- From 00:00 AM 21st of June until further notice, export laden container gate-in will be accepted only 4 days prior to vessel ETA in Shekou port.
- We see 40 GP & 40 HC empty supply is negatively impacted with massive vessel delays and omissions in Yantian and Shekou. Customers are encouraged to amend to 20 GP as an alternative in Yantian and Shekou.
- Expanded list of impacted vessels below
- Expanded list of Maersk owned vessels which will call Yantian port in the coming weeks below
Terminals
Yantian yard density reduced to 69% while the yard density of Shekou and Nansha port remains high. We expect continued vessel omissions and vessel delays at Yantian port upwards of 4 days in the coming week.
Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) updates
- Operation in the eastern area of the terminal where mother vessels mainly berth is gradually recovering to about 54% of its normal level.
- From 08:00 AM 9th of June, all import laden containers resume operation in YICT.
- From 15th of June, origin export containers and transshipment containers in the western area of YICT get released from the detention and will be arranged onto the next available vessels.
- From 00:00 AM 10th of June, export laden container gate-in continues to be accepted only 7 days prior to vessel ETA, AND only after the terminal confirms the advance reservation made by trucking companies for laden containers gate-in.
Shekou port including Chiwan Container Terminal, Mawan Container Terminal and Shekou Container Terminal updates
- From 00:00 AM 6th of June to 23:59 PM 20th of June, export laden container gate-in will be accepted only 3 days prior to vessel ETA.
- From 00:00 AM 21st of June until further notice, export laden container gate-in will be accepted only 4 days prior to vessel ETA.
Nansha port updates
- From 00:00 AM 7th of June until further notice, export laden container gate-in will be accepted only 7 days prior to vessel ETA in Nansha port.
Vessels
Due to aforementioned disruptions, we regret to inform you that 88 vessels including our partners' vessels have omitted the Port of Yantian and Shekou in order to protect schedule reliability. Our people are working relentlessly with the contingency plan which covers 70 vessels for origin export shipments. Please refer to the contingency plan as outlined below. Import laden containers on the omitted vessels are expected to delay for over three weeks.
In the meantime, we provide the best visibility of Maersk owned vessels which will call Yantian port in the coming week. It is subject to change.
Empty Containers
We see 40 GP & 40 HC empty supply is negatively impacted with massive vessel delays and omissions in Yantian and Shekou. Customers are encouraged to amend to 20 GP as an alternative in Yantian and Shekou.
Empty operation keeps suspended at Shekou Greeting Fortune Depot D.
Import dry & reefer empty return resums at Yantian depots.
Landside Service
Trucking service into YICT needs to be reserved in advance and export laden containers gate-in are subject to the confirmation issued by YICT. For customers who require cross pick at Shekou, Maersk can provide inland drayage as the alternative solution.
As more cargoes are diverted to Nansha and epidemic prevention measures for COVID-19 are also implemented in Guangzhou, we see traffic congestion and it could take 5 hours for empty container pick up or laden container gate-in.
Your supply chain is of the utmost concern to us and we will continue to keep you informed of all developments. We thank you for your continued support.
Should you have any questions, please contact your local Maersk professional.