Suez incident update: Opportunity on US East Coast to pick-up containers, return empty containers & chassis

Update - 09 April 2021

You've now heard that the Suez blockage is resolving within the channel itself. The affected and delayed vessels are now making their way to regions around the world. This means the impact will start to be felt where your cargo originates and discharges. This will be as a direct result of service changes but also influences the global supply of containers. Therefore, we aim to keep you updated on both import and export impacts to services affecting North American cargo.

As vessels constrained by the Suez blockage make their approach to the US East Coast, teams are working with customers and vendors to prepare to work through the imminent congestion. Click here to watch a video of Lars Ostergaard Nielsen, Head of the Americas Liner Operations Center at Maersk, detailing the efforts in preparing US operations and customers for the vessel arrivals.

Please find below the table listing all vessels with the first port of call that were impacted through the Suez Canal blockage.

We do not expect shortage of equipment for NAM exports, there could be sporadic pockets, but nothing severe.

In terms of equipment supply in Asia, we are already in short supply, and expectation is that this will continue at least through May. We are doing our utmost to reduce the equipment impact through restrictions of Maersk Spot and short term contract bookings in specific areas.

Terminals are taking precautions to prevent yard congestion, whereby they might close gates for empty containers before closing for laden volume, which would only be closed under extreme conditions. Any change to terminal acceptance and hours, will be communicated as soon as possible, however customers should also refer to terminal websites for the most up-to-date information.

With the challenges the Suez blockage and subsequent vessel congestion brings, we continue to work with our customers to ease the burden in their supply chains. We have increased communication, absorbed demurrage in congested ports related to Maersk Provided Trucking store doors, worked with customers on changes to their supply chain to utilize air and rail options, and more.

Should you have questions about adjusting your supply chain to work through these challenges, we encourage you to reach out to your Maersk Sales professional or Customer experience team member.

Update - 01 April 2021

As previously communicated the Suez channel is again allowing vessels to pass through, however the delayed Maersk vessels which were scheduled to arrive from April 6th and 7 days forward will be 4-7 days delayed. The exact details per vessel can be found here, but the ETA will still be subject to change as we receive berthing updates from terminals.

The gap of several vessel arrivals to the US East Coast from April 6th and approximately a week forward, will be industry wide as vessels start to clear the Suez channel or arrive from the travelling south of Cape Horn.

As USEC ports have experienced congestion in recent months, and we urge all logistics partners to take this opportunity to clear cargo from terminals which will allow them to operate more efficiently. In addition, this period provides a space to return empty containers and dwelling chassis with less traffic and congestion. This will ready the industry infrastructure best possible for when the delayed vessels will arrive and enable fastest possible deliveries after discharge. Applicable ports below:

• Newark
• Savannah
• Charleston

These industry wide delays are very unfortunate, and we strive to make all possible information available to our customers as they become available.

We will continue to give you tools and information to better anticipate changes in the supply chain and any windows of opportunity to act. Throughout this process we aim to give as much clarity and notice as possible. We regret the inconvenience this incident may cause to your business in a time where certain industries may already be stretched due to the pandemic.

If you have not received already, please find our FAQ with the most frequent questions our customers are asking us around the Suez incident, and please don’t hesitate to contact your local Maersk representative should you have further questions.