Information Update 2023

December 2023

 

Update Red Sea: Shipping companies avoiding the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks – 21 December

In light of the recent attacks by Houthi rebels, container shipping companies are avoiding the Red Sea region. As the situation develops, we are sharing more detailed information and hoping for an international escort effort for vessels in the region.

An increasing number of shipping companies are opting to steer clear of navigating through the Red Sea. ZIM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, HMM, Evergreen and Yang Ming have sequentially declared their decision to temporarily halt navigation in the tumultuous region, redirecting their vessels predominantly via the Cape of Good Hope.

Initially focusing on Israeli-owned and operated vessels, the Houthis later declared their intention to target any ship that sailed to Israeli ports, irrespective of its nationality. This shift in behaviour significantly heightened the insecurity within the Red Sea, as ships with no connection to Israel became targets simply because they had previously called at an Israeli port. Carriers and ship owners took proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of their crews, vessels and cargo.

The Cape of Good Hope is the only alternative to avoid the Red Sea for numerous east-west services, so carriers are compelled to adjust their schedules and networks. This adjustment may generate an increased demand for additional container tonnage. The extent of upcoming changes depends on the duration of insecurity in the Red Sea region.

Meanwhile, the US has announced ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian,’ a multinational naval force involving Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Seychelles, Spain and the UK. Their mission is to restore security for commercial shipping from the Gulf of Aden through the Bab-al Mandab strait to the Suez Canal. However, implementing a convoy system or a designated navigation corridor to enhance safety during navigation remains uncertain at this point.

Our team will keep you informed about this situation. 

Italy – 18 December

South Africa – 18 December

USA – 18 December

South America – 18 December

USA – 13 December

Transit times have increased due to delays in the Panama Canal. Our team will notify any affected customers.

Italy – 11 December

The rail strike in Germany has caused some delays, but the team will advise any customers affected.

Australia and New Zealand – 11 December

In Australia, the delays are starting to decrease, while in New Zealand, there are currently no issues.

South Africa – 11 December

Cape Town is currently windbound, so vessels are facing departure delays.

Spain – Adverse weather conditions expected to cause delays – 6 December

High winds and swell are expected in the coming days, which may cause delays in our vessels’ trading in the Biscay, Irish Sea and North Sea areas. These adverse weather conditions may lead to the suspension of pilot stations and terminals, and our vessels may have to take shelter or slow down. However, our operations team is committed to minimising disruptions while ensuring the safety of our ships, customers’ cargo and crew. We will closely monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth and safe operation.

Italy – 4 December

There is currently a delay in departures from Melzo due to congestion. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary. We have also been notified that the unions have called for a 24-hour strike. The impact on our orders is not clear yet. However, if any customers are affected, we will inform them accordingly.            

Spain and Portugal – 4 December

Poor weather in the Bay of Biscay continues but is showing signs of improvement. Unfortunately, the weather in the North Sea is now affecting vessels getting through to the Iberian ports. Customers will be advised if their orders are affected.           

Belgium – 4 December

A potential 48-hour rail strike has been called for 5 December. We are looking into this and will update anyone affected by the news.             

Bulgaria – 4 December

Snow and bad weather in Eastern Europe are causing some issues. The team will advise any customers affected.        

Australia and New Zealand – 4 December

In Australia, there are 3-4 day delays, with some vessels leaving after their planned ETD. Our team will keep customers notified if they are affected.

In New Zealand, the delays in the Islands have now cleared.         

South Africa – 4 December

The vessel schedule improves as the weather clears, resulting in fewer delays.     

South America – 4 December

The international border has reopened and no new snowstorms are predicted. The strike at San Antonio Terminal has ended, and operations resumed on 25 November. Our team will notify any affected customers of delays.

 

November 2023

 

Australia – Port congestions in Fremantle, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – 30 November

Australia is currently facing port congestion issues in some of its major ports. The affected ports are Fremantle, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. This situation has arisen due to union actions taken by port workers and stevedores who are not working on a normal basis. It is expected that this problem will continue until the end of the year. Our team will keep you updated.

France – Railway strike between 30 November and 1 December 

French SNCF railway workers have called for a strike between 30 November and 1 December, which is expected to impact transportation operations throughout the country. As SNCF operates almost all of France’s railway traffic, the strike is likely to cause significant disruptions. Our team will keep you informed as we receive more information.

Italy – Railway transport in Italy will be affected by a national strike on 30 November and 1 December

Italian authorities announced that a strike of Italian Unions would occur from 30 November to 1 December. Cancellations and delays are expected on the intermodal flows. Our team will keep you informed.

Spain – 28 November

There is still bad weather in the Bay of Biscay, but it is gradually getting better. However, the weather in the North Sea is now impacting problems for ships trying to reach the Iberian ports. Customers will be advised if their orders are affected by this situation.

Italy – 27 November 

Departures from Melzo are currently experiencing slight delays due to congestion. We closely monitor the situation and will notify any customers if their orders are affected.

Australia and New Zealand – 27 November

In Australia, there are currently 3-4 day delays, with some vessels departing after their planned estimated time of departure (ETD). Our team will keep customers informed if they are affected. In New Zealand, the delays in the islands have now cleared.

South Africa – 27 November

The vessel schedule is beginning to recover from the recent poor weather, so the number of delays is gradually reducing.

South America – 27 November

The international border has now re-opened and no new snow storms are predicted.

Chile – Operations resumed at the San Antonio Terminal – 27 November

There is good news from Chile as the industrial action at the San Antonio Terminal has ended. Ship operations resumed on Saturday, 25 November, at 3:30 pm. According to DPW, the reception will begin operating on Monday, 27 November starting from the second shift. There will still be delays as the port tries to recover from the strike. Our team will advise affected customers. 

Chile – Update on the Port strike in San Antonio – 24 November

The strike at the Port in San Antonio continues, affecting operations. According to DP World San Antonio: “The situation of our terminal continues to paralyse operations due to the illegal strike that has been affecting us since Tuesday, 21 November. Therefore, please consider that the reception and dispatch of cargo at the terminal will remain closed on the 1st and 2nd shifts of Friday the 24th. We hope to provide information on subsequent shifts, plus the date and stacking time for next week’s ships.” We will keep you updated as we have new information.

Chile – Port strike in DPW San Antonio Terminal – 22 November

A Port Strike in the DPW San Antonio Terminal affects the maritime and land operations. At the moment, DPW Terminal’s operations stopped, including container reception. The hope is that the strike will end as soon as possible as, according to DP World, this is an illegal strike. 

The Port’s webpage announces: “A union of temporary workers has initiated an illegal strike that is currently affecting our maritime and land operations, including the reception and dispatch of containers. We regret the inconvenience this situation is causing and are taking all necessary measures to minimise the impact on operations and our customers. We will communicate the restart of operations in these areas once the situation is normalised.”

Our team will continue to monitor the situation, and we’ll advise any customers directly affected.

Italy – 20 November 

There were a few cancellations at the Melzo terminal over the weekend, and the infrastructure rail line works in Germany continue to cause delays. Our team will notify anyone affected by this.

Spain and Portugal – 20 November 

The recent bad weather in the Bay of Biscay has improved. Our team is continuously monitoring the situation.

Australia and New Zealand – 20 November 

There are slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson in New Zealand. Our team will update customers as necessary.

South Africa – 20 November 

The vessel schedule is improving as the weather clears in South Africa, reducing delays.

South America – 20 November 

The international border has reopened, and no new snowstorms are predicted.

High water closes parts of Rhine river– 17 November

Parts of the river Rhine in Germany have been closed to shipping because of a rise in water levels following recent heavy rain, German authorities said on Thursday. Rhine river shipping has been stopped around Maxau in south Germany, the German inland waterways navigation agency WSA said. High water means vessels do not have enough space to sail under bridges.

Italy – The strike is expected to go ahead on 17 November – 13 November

The union strike that was recently announced is expected to go ahead on Friday, 17 November. Our team will advise any potentially affected customers.    

Spain and Portugal – 13 November

The recent bad weather in the Bay of Biscay continues to cause delays to vessel departures. Any customers affected by this will receive advice from our Iberian team.  

Australia and New Zealand – 13 November

DP World Australia detected a cyber attack on Friday, 10 November, so it closed its ports. They are slowly returning to normal, and any customers who may be affected by this will be advised as the team to continue to monitor the situation.

In New Zealand, there are slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson. Our team will update customers as necessary.   

South Africa – 13 November

The vessel schedule is beginning to recover from the recent poor weather, and delays are reducing.  

South America – 13 November

The international border has re-opened and no new snow storms are predicted.     

Strike scheduled in France from 12 to 14 November – 10 November 

The French authorities announced that a nationwide strike was planned by the French Unions across the country from 12 November 2023, 22:00, to 14 November, 08:00. The industrial action may lead to service disruptions. Our team will keep you updated as we have more information. 

Italy – Industrial action on 17 November – 9 November Update

The Italian authorities have confirmed that Italian Unions will go on an extended strike on 17 November 2023, from 00:00 to 20:59. This will likely cause significant disruptions to intermodal flows in the Italian corridor. Rest assured, our team is working to minimise the impact of this industrial action and we’ll keep you posted as the situation unfolds.

Italy – Update: Segrate terminal set to reopen at 3:00 p.m. for all operations – 8 November

The Segrate terminal is scheduled to resume operations today, 8 November, at 3:00 p.m. Due to an incident that occurred earlier today, the train program has been severely impacted. Currently, the effect of this incident on the loading and unloading of trains may affect the scheduled arrivals and departures listed in the train program.

Italy – Leaking dangerous goods container halts operations at Segrate terminal – 8 November 

Operations at the Segrate terminal were halted today, 8 November, due to a hazardous incident. The terminal, which handles various shipping containers, experienced a leak from a container carrying dangerous goods. In order to prevent any potential harm, all operations were immediately stopped. Our team will keep you updated as we have more information. 

South America – International border is open – 6 November

The international border between Chile and Argentina is now open. 

Italy – Anticipating service disruptions due to strike on 17 November – 6 November 

The Italian authorities have announced that Italian Unions will go on strike on 17 November 2023, from 00:00 to 20:59. We anticipate a significant disruption to intermodal flows along the Italian corridor. Our team will make every effort to minimise the impact and we will keep you updated on the situation as it evolves. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact our Kukla Italian BWS division, who will be able to help you.

Spain – 6 November

The recent bad weather in the Bay of Biscay continues to cause delays to vessel departures. Any customers affected by this will receive advice from our Iberian team.

Portugal – 6 November

The recent bad weather in the Bay of Biscay continues to cause delays to vessel departures. Any customers affected by this will receive advice from our Iberian team.

Australia and New Zealand – 6 November

In New Zealand, there are slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson. Our team will update customers as necessary.

South Africa – 6 November

There are delays for vessel departures as Cape Town is currently windbound. Our team will advise those customers affected.

South America – 6 November

We are awaiting confirmation regarding the border closure due to heavy snowfall. Our team continues to monitor the situation and advise any customers affected by this news.

 

UK – 1 November Port Closures

Due to the Storm Ciaran weather warning, we have received confirmation that both the Port of Felixstowe and London Gateway will be closing.

Port of Felixstowe will close from 23.59 01/11/203 through to 00:01 hours on Friday 03/11/2023.

London Gateway will close from 23.59 01/11/2023 until 08:00 on 02/11/2023. Operations will be intermittent from 08:00 through to 22:00, with weather conditions being monitored throughout the day.

 

October 2023

South America – The international border is closed – 30 October

The international border between Chile and Argentina has been closed since Friday evening, 27 October, and there are snowfalls expected until Thursday, 2 November, which may cause it to be closed until that day. Our team will advise any affected customers.

Italy – 30 October

We were informed that the railway infrastructure at the entrance of the Zeebrugge terminal was severely damaged last week but we are still awaiting an update regarding any delays this may have caused. Rail circulation continues to be affected by the consequences of the Gotthard Tunnel disruptions.
We have also received confirmation that operational activities have restarted as planned after the controlled explosion of the WWII bomb discovered near the Brescia rail lane.

France – 30 October

Planning is being adjusted to facilitate the November Bank Holiday

Spain – 30 October

Recent bad weather in the Bay of Biscay has caused some delays. Affected customers have been advised.

New Zealand – 30 October

Slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson. The team will update customers as necessary

South Africa – 30 October

There is a possibility of strike action in Durban and congestion will delay the arrival of some vessels into Cape Town. This is added to the delays due to the recent high winds around Cape Town – the team will advise those affected customers.

Italy – 26 October

Railway infrastructure at the entrance of Zeebrugge terminal has been severely damaged, no rail traffic is possible from/to Zeebrugge terminal currently.

Temporary solution work is being worked on. Tracks should be reopened from 10 Am today (26 Oct) until 10 PM tomorrow (27 Oct).

The line will be closed again from 27 Oct (Fri) 10 PM until 30 Oct (Mon) 10 AM for all rail traffic as the final repairs are executed then.

We are already routing units away from Zeebrugge but of course, the team will advise of any orders that have been delayed.

France – 23 October

In order to accommodate the November Bank Holiday, planning is being modified.

Spain – 23 October

Bad weather in the Bay of Biscay has caused some delays, we have advised any affected customers.

New Zealand- 23 October

Slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson. The team will update customers as necessary

South America – 23 October

The border is currently open, our team continues to monitor the situation.

Italy – 23 October

Rail circulation continues to be affected by the consequences of the Gotthard Tunnel disruptions. This is likely to continue for some time and where possible, we are avoiding this route.
We are awaiting confirmation that the WWII bomb discovered near the Brescia rail lane was disposed yesterday (22nd October).

Brazil – port distrubtions at Manaus

Navigable water depths on the river Amazon in Brazil have fallen to such low levels that shipping services to/from the region’s main port, Manaus and activities at the nearby free trade zone are now being severely disrupted.

Spain – Severe weather forecasted until the 21st of October – 19 October 

Severe weather is forecasted in the Bay of Biscay in Spain until Saturday, October 21st. High swells with wave heights over 8 meters are expected. Our team is closely monitoring the situation.

Italy – Rail disruptions and potential strike from the 19th to 20th October – 16 October

Rail circulation continues to be affected by the consequences of the Gotthard Tunnel disruptions. This is likely to continue for some time, and we are avoiding this route where possible.

There might be a strike from 19 October to 20 October, and we are waiting for further updates regarding this matter.

The WWII bomb discovered near the Brescia rail lane will be disposed of on Sunday, 22 October. Trains on this line will be cancelled until 24 October. We are working with our partners to understand what orders are affected and the impact on our customers.

Australia and New Zealand – 16 October

There are slight delays with feeder vessels leaving Nelson in New Zealand. Our team will update customers as necessary.

South Africa – 16 October

There have been some delays in vessel departures recently due to the high winds around Cape Town. Our team will advise affected customers.

South America – 16 October

The border is currently open, and our team continues to monitor the situation.

A nationwide strike in France is planned for 13 October – 12 October

There is a nationwide strike scheduled in France on Friday, 13 October. The industrial action is expected to affect various sectors, including transportation workers from the road, rail, air and sea industries. The strike can potentially cause significant disruptions, similar to past events caused by transport workers. We are closely monitoring the situation and preparing to manage any unforeseeable issues that may arise on the day to reduce potential disruptions and maintain operations as smoothly as possible.

New Zealand – 9 October

There are slight delays with feeder vessel leaving Nelson Port. Our team will update customers if necessary. 

South Africa – 9 October

Due to recent high winds near Cape Town, there are some delays with vessel departures. Our team will advise affected customers. 

South America – 9 October

The border is open, our team will monitor the latest situation. 

Italy – 9 October

Rail circulation continues to be affected by the consequences of Gotthard Tunnel disruptions. We are trying to take alternative routes to prevent disruption.

The WWII bomb discovered near the Brescia rail lane will be disposed on 22nd October (Sunday). Trains on this line will be cancelled until 24th October (Tuesday). We are working with our partners to understand what orders are affected and the impact on our customers.
There is a potential strike from 19 October (Thursday) to 20 October (Friday). We are waiting for an update.

Italy – 5 October

Rail circulation in Italy still faces disruptions due to the aftermath of the Gotthard Tunnel incidents. While the undamaged tracks are open, they are understandably experiencing congestion. We anticipate this situation will persist for a while, and we are avoiding this route where possible.
As for the WWII bomb discovered near the Brescia rail lane last week, it will be safely disposed of on Sunday, the 22nd of October. Consequently, train services on this line will remain cancelled until the 24th of October. We are collaborating closely with our partners to assess which orders may be affected and to understand the impact on our customers.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Italian unions have called for a strike from the 19th of October, 2023, to the 20th of October, 2023. We are closely monitoring the situation for any developments.

South Africa – 5 October

There are delays with vessel departures in South Africa. Our team will advise any affected customers.

South America – 5 October

The border is currently open in South America, and our team continues to monitor the situation. Some ports in Chile were affected by a strike from yesterday, the 4th of October, until today, the 5th of October. The ports involved are Iquique, Antofagasta, San Antonio, San Vicente, Coronel and Lirquen. Our team will advise customers who might be affected by delays.

There are no other current issues.

 

Unionized port workers in Chile on strike – 4 October 

Some port workers in Chile, who are part of the Port Union of Chile, have gone on strike starting Wednesday, October 4th. The action is scheduled to continue until October 5th at 8 a.m. Our primary port of use, San Antonio, is also affected by this strike, which may cause delays. We will keep a close watch on the situation and will notify all our affected customers.

 

September 2023

 

Italy – 26 September

Rail circulation continues to be affected by the consequences of the Gotthard Tunnel disruptions. The undamaged track is open but understandably congested. This is likely to continue for some time, and where possible, we are trying to avoid this route. The recent high winds have also affected the ETA of some vessels. Our Italian team will provide customers with the latest updates.

South Africa – 26 September

There were a few delays due to the recent bad weather, but ships are now departing from the port with minimal interruption.

South America – 26 September

The weather has once again caused the international border to close. Our team will continue to monitor the situation and will advise any customers affected by this.

South America – The international border is again closed – 22 September

Once again, the international border between Argentina and Chile has been closed due to the snowfall forecast for the upcoming weekend. Our team will continue to provide updates as they become available.

South America – The international border has been reopened – 13 September

As of today, the international border has been reopened and there are no expected snowstorms in the coming days. The focus now shifts to gradually resuming cross-border traffic and trucks will slowly begin crossing until traffic is back to normal. Our team will keep you updated. 

South America –  The international border remains closed – 11 September 

The international border between Argentina and Chile remains closed today, 11 September, due to snow. However, the weather is expected to improve tomorrow, leading to a potential reopening of the border and trucks will be able to resume their circulation. Our team will keep you updated as more information becomes available. 

South America – 7 September

International border remains closed and there are snowfall forecasts up to next Tuesday (12 September). 

South America – 6 September

Due to heavy snowfall, local newspapers report more than 10,000 trucks waiting to cross.

Italy – 4 September

Rail circulation in Italy is still being affected by the consequences of the Gotthard Tunnel disruptions. While the undamaged track is open, it is understandably congested. As a result, we are attempting to avoid this route where possible. The Italian team will keep customers updated as they work to minimise disruptions.

Australia and New Zealand – 4 September

In Australia, ETDs are being pushed out for a few days, which may slightly affect ETA. However, everything is running smoothly overall. In New Zealand, all shipments are proceeding as scheduled and there are no issues with securing space on current vessels.

South Africa – 4 September

There are some departure delays due to recent strikes, and now the port is windbound. The bad weather is forecasted to continue for the next two weeks, and scheduling may take time to recover. Our Deep Sea team will provide further updates as they become available.

South America – 4 September

The international border in South America is closed once again, and heavy snow is predicted for the next week.

South America – 1 September

International border closes today PM until further notice due to heavy snowfall is forecast for the next 7 days.

 

August 2023 

South America – Border update: Current status – 31 August 

The international border is open today. Only 500 trucks were able to cross yesterday, but the estimate for today is an improvement, with 800 expected to cross. However, there’s a forecast for new snowfall tomorrow, which suggests the border might be closed again until further notice.

South America – The international border is open – 30 August

The international border between Argentina and Chile is open today. However, there is a significant backlog of over 5,000 trucks waiting to cross. Snow is forecasted once again starting from Friday, 1 September. 

Italy – 30 August

The undamaged track in the Gotthard Tunnel is now open but understandably congested. It is likely to continue for some time and we are trying to avoid this route if possible. The Italian team will endeavour to keep customers updated as often as possible.

Australia  – 30 August

ETDs are being pushed out for a few days which might slightly affect ETA. But overall everything is running smoothly.

New Zealand – 30 August

All shipments are proceeding as per schedule and no issue with securing space on current vessels.

South Africa – 30 August

There are some departure delays due to recent strikes and now the port is windbound. Bad weather is forecasted in the next two weeks and it may take time to recover the schedule. The Deep Sea team will advise of any further updates as they receive them.

South America – 30 August

The international border remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Snowfall is forecasted to continue in the next week. Our Deep Sea team have emailed any customers affected by this news as bookings are being rolled.

South America – 29 August 

The international border between Argentina and Chile remains closed, and as of 28 August, snowfall persists. There is a forecast for light snow on Wednesday, 30 August, and currently, there is no imminent plan for the pass to reopen. Our team will continue to keep you updated as we receive more information.

South Africa – 23 August

The backlog created by the delays caused by the taxi strikes two weeks ago at Cape Town Port is still being cleared.

South America – 23 August

International border remains closed. A new snowstorm is expected from Sunday (27 Aug) until next Wednesday (30 Aug).

South America – 22 August 

The international border between Argentina and Chile is closed and snowfall is forecasted until Thursday, 24 August. The current situation can generate cargo delays, container demurrage, loss stacking and vessels. There are up to a thousand trucks waiting to cross the border. We will ensure that you stay up-to-date as we receive additional information.

Italy – 22 August

One side of the Tunnel, the East track, was unaffected in the derailment and should be operable for rail freight traffic “in principle” starting 23 August 2023 (Wednesday). It is expected that the other track will not become available until early 2024. Due to about 8 km of track and 20,000 concrete sleepers will have to be replaced. It is expected to create significant capacity constraints and possible congestion once the transport demand fully returns after the summer holiday season. Our Italian Team will keep our customers updated.

Italy – 21 August 

Due to the train derailment in the Gotthard Tunnel that blocked a main route in and out of Italy last week, the tunnel will remain closed until 23 August 2023 (Wednesday), when it is planned to re-open one tube of the tunnel. Freight trains will be dedicated to freight trains which will help clear some of the backlog. The second tube involved in the accident will remain closed for some time while repairs take place. Customers have been notified by our Italian team and train schedules in Italy will be revised as and when they can.

Australia – 21 August

There will be a slight extension in the estimated time of departure (ETD) by a few days, which could marginally impact the estimated time of arrival (ETA). However, overall operations are proceeding without major disruptions.

New Zealand – 21 August

All shipments are adhering to their intended schedules, and no difficulties have arisen in securing space on current vessels.

South Africa – 21 August 

There are delays in departures in South Africa due to recent strikes, causing delays in the confirmation of bookings. The Deep Sea team will continue to communicate any further developments as they receive updates.

South America – 21 August 

The international border in South America has once again closed due to heavy snowfall. This weather pattern is projected to persist throughout the next week. Our Deep Sea team has communicated this information to affected customers via email, and booking procedures are being adjusted accordingly.

South America – 17 August

The international border is closed today and forecasted snowfall in the coming next 7 days. Our Deep Sea team have emailed any customers affected by this news.

Europe – 15 August 

Assumption Day is a Bank Holiday in many European countries such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. Our team will inform customers if any delays occur.

Italy – 15 August 

Current predictions indicate that the closure of the Gotthard Tunnel might extend until 23 August. Train schedules are currently undergoing revisions, and our customers will receive updates promptly as soon as we acquire additional information.

South America – 15 August

Although the international border has reopened, there are forecasts for more significant snowfall. As a result, it’s anticipated that further closures might occur in the future.

Italy – 14 August 

Due to a train derailment in the Gotthard Tunnel last week, which blocked a main route to and from Italy, the tunnel will remain closed until at least Wednesday, 16 August. Our Italian team has already informed our customers. Additionally, there is congestion in Rotterdam, and the Melzo rail operators are closed today, 14 August, due to a holiday.

Germany – 14 August 

In Germany, there is a Bank Holiday on 15 August, which might lead to delays. Our team will inform customers if any delays occur. Assumption Day is a public holiday in many other European countries such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.

Australia and New Zealand – 14 August 

Currently, there are no issues in Australia. In New Zealand, Auckland and Tauranga, we are not encountering any problems with sailing on the North Island. With Nelson, we are facing overcapacity and schedule changes in the South Island. Bookings have been rescheduled and some delays are anticipated.

South Africa – 14 August 

The recent strike action has been called off, and it is anticipated that workers will be able to return to their offices this week. Our Deep Sea team will keep customers updated with any further developments as they come in.

South America – 14 August 

The international border has been reopened.

Italy – 10 August

A major route in/out of Italy has been blocked by a train derailment in the Gotthard Tunnel. The rail network is clearing the track but delays are to be expected. Customers have been emailed by our Italian team.

South Africa – 10 August

Strikes and protests in Cape Town which caused an impact on staff available in many offices as they are told to work from home. Our Deep Sea team will advise any customers as necessary.

South America – 10 August

The international border is closed again due to poor weather making the roads unsafe for the transit of trucks. Our team will update any customers affected

Italy – 7 August

Congestion at Rotterdam is causing a few train cancellations, and due to the Italian holiday season, the schedules are running slightly slower than usual.

Australia and New Zealand – 7 August

There are no current issues in Australia. At New Zealand ports in Auckland and Tauranga, there are no issues with sailing in the North Island. Regarding Nelson, we are experiencing overcapacity and schedule changes in the South Island. Bookings have been rolled, and some delays are to be expected. Our team will advise any customers who might be affected.

South America – 7 August

The international border is now open.

 

July 2023

 

USA/Canada – 10 July – Updated 14 July Updated 19 July Updated 20 July

Canadian west coast dockworkers have withdrawn a strike notice following a crisis meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The strike by dockworkers at Canadian west coast ports is back on after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union of Canada (ILWU Canada) rejected a settlement recommended by mediators last week. Updated 19 July

The dockers have ended their strike after reaching a tentative labour deal. Updated 14 July

We have been informed that ships that have been diverted from Canadian West Coast ports to US ports will not be handled by US ILWU longshoremen who are backing the striking workers in Canada. Posted 10 July

South America – 3 July

The international border between Argentina and Chile is still closed as work is still ongoing to repair the roads. Our team will keep you updated with any further information as soon as it becomes available.

South America – 18 July

We have just received news that the international border is now open but the backlog of trucks that are waiting to get through will mean that delays are still to be expected. Further snow is also predicted so the border may be closed again during this bad weather. Our Deep Sea team will advise any customers who are affected by this news.

 

June 2023 

 

South America – 29 June

The international border between Argentina and Chile is closed until further notice due to heavy snowfall. Our team will keep you updated with any further information as soon as it becomes available.

New Zealand – 29 June

At ports in Auckland and Tauranga, there are no issues with sailing on the North Island. However, at Nelson, there is currently overcapacity and schedule changes on the South Island. Bookings have been rescheduled and delays should be anticipated. We are hopeful that this situation will improve soon and shipping lines are actively investigating the issue. Our team will provide updates to customers whose orders may be affected by this development.

South America – The international border between Argentina and Chile remains closed – 26 June

The international border between Argentina and Chile remains closed due to flooding and damage to the roadway caused by rain on top of the snow. This closure is expected to last for at least seven more days, although there has been no official statement from the Chilean authorities yet.

There are no heavy snowfalls forecasted, so once the repair of the road on the Chilean side is completed, the international border could become operational again. Our team will keep you informed.

Italy – 26 June

There is peak season congestion that may impact orders. Our team will advise any customers whose orders may be affected.

Australia/New Zealand – 26 June

We are awaiting an update regarding equipment availability and we will provide you with more information as soon as it becomes available.

South Africa – 26 June

Poor weather in South Africa is causing delays. 

South America – Snowfall forecast threatens to strand thousands of trucks at the Argentina – Chile border – 22 June

The weather forecast for South America predicts continuous snowfall until next Tuesday, 27 June, signalling the likelihood of more than a week of accumulation of trucks waiting to cross the international border between Argentina and Chile. Unfortunately, this can bring serious delays. Our team will advise anyone who may have orders affected. 

South America – Severe weather forces temporary closure of Argentina – Chile international border – 21 June

The international border between Argentina and Chile will be closed as of today, 21 June, to Sunday, 25 June, or until further notice. This temporary closure is due to severe weather conditions that have rendered truck-safe transit impossible. As a result, cargo transportation may be delayed, containers may incur demurrage charges, stacking operations may be compromised, and vessels may face scheduling delays. We will provide you with more information as it becomes available.

Italy – 19 June

Slight delays are expected due to ongoing infrastructure works in Germany. Some road closures may affect rail links. Our team will advise any customers who might be affected.

Australia and New Zealand – 19 June

We are awaiting an update regarding the shortage of equipment in Australia, which is causing vessel bookings to be rescheduled. We are also waiting for updates from New Zealand.

South Africa – 19 June

There have been recent short shipments on the Mol Proficiency for 20ft containers, resulting in some cancellations or delays. Our team will notify any affected customers.

South America – 19 June

Good news from South America. The international border between Chile and Argentina is now open.

South Africa – 12 June

Recent short shipments on the Mol Proficiency for 20ft containers have led to further cancellations and delays. Our team will update any affected customers.

South America – 12 June

The international border between Chile and Argentina is currently closed, and it is not expected to reopen until after Tuesday.

USA – Ongoing disruptions at US West Coast ports – 8 June

Cargo operations at multiple terminals at US West Coast ports were cancelled or closed over the last several days due to labour disputes. According to the American Journal of Transportation, at least one terminal at the Port of Los Angeles cancelled cargo operations on Monday (5th), while at the Port of Long Beach, two terminals were closed on the same day. Also, according to a notice sent to the trucking community, Pacific Container Terminals at the Port of Long Beach cancelled cargo operations for Tuesday’s (6th) first shift. We will provide you with more information as it becomes available.

USA – Seattle – 7 June

The Port of Seattle was shut down due to poor work productivity on Wednesday, 7 June, and dockworkers were sent home because crane productivity was about 30% of normal, according to the Journal of Commerce. Additionally, job actions by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have resulted in a half-dozen vessels being prevented from departing Southern California, causing disruptions at West Coast marine terminals.

Australia and New Zealand – 5 June

Shortage of equipment in Australia is causing vessel bookings to be delayed. While in New Zealand, bookings are being rolled and held at Port Tauranga due to the cargo backlog in Australia.

South Africa – 5 June

There have been recent short shipments on the Mol Proficiency for 20ft containers. The replacement vessel is the Santa Clara, but some delays may occur. Our team will inform customers whose orders might be affected.

South America – 5 June

The international border between Chile and Argentina has reopened following heavy snowfall last week.

 

May 2023

 

Australia and New Zealand – 30 May 

There is currently a shortage of equipment in Australia, leading to the rolling of vessel bookings. Similarly, in New Zealand, bookings are being rolled and held at Tauranga due to the backlog of cargo in Australia.

South America – 30 May

Good news from South America. The international border between Chile and Argentina has reopened following last week’s heavy snowfall.

International border Argentina-Chile – 25 May

The border has been closed since 21 May due to bad weather. A heavy snowstorm has made the safe transit of trucks impossible at present

CDS unplanned outage – 16 May 2023

An unplanned outage occurred on Customs Declaration Service (CDS) system starting around noon today. This outage resulted in delayed responses, with no entries showing as cleared or submitted. HMRC is aware of the situation and investigating. We will provide you with more information as it becomes available.

The strike in Germany has been cancelled – 15 May

We are pleased to inform you that the planned railway strike in Germany has been cancelled. This development means that regular operations will resume sooner than anticipated. We are delighted to share this positive news with you, and if you have any further questions our team is here to advise.

Multiple strikes scheduled in Portugal in May and June – 15 May – strikes have been cancelled

We have received information regarding upcoming strikes at Portuguese ports. The industrial action is scheduled for the following dates: from 00:00 on 25th May to 24:00 on 26th May and from 00:00 on 30th May to 24:00 on 1st June. Additionally, in the following month, there are strikes scheduled on the 5th, 9th, 12th, and 16th, as well as the 19th, 23rd, 26th, and 30th of June, all starting from 00:00 to 24:00. These multiple strikes have the potential to impact all vessel operations during these periods. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated on any developments that may arise.

Italy – 15 May

Please be advised that a national strike is taking place in Germany from the 14th to the 16th of May, possibly extending to May 17th. Consequently, all train services operating between Italy and Germany will be affected. Our team closely monitors the situation and will keep you informed. We will also notify any customers whose orders may be impacted by these disruptions.

Germany – 15 May

Regarding Germany, we have received official notice of the national strike scheduled from Sunday, May 14th to Tuesday, May 16th, with the potential to continue until May 17th.

Australia and New Zealand – 15 May

In Australia and New Zealand, there is a shortage of equipment, causing delays in vessel bookings. Additionally, due to the cargo backlog in Australia, bookings in New Zealand are being rolled over and held at Tauranga.

Nationwide rail strike in Germany (14-16 May) – 11 May

Germany’s railway union, EVG, has announced a new 50-hour strike starting on Sunday, 14 May, at 10 PM until Tuesday, 16 May, at 11:59 PM. The strike will affect trains in Duisburg and Mannheim. Our teams will monitor the situation closely and we will reach out to any customers whose orders might be affected.

Italy – 9 May

Infrastructure work continues on the rail line in Germany, which may cause delays and cancellations that could affect the train services from Italy to the UK. Our team will keep you informed and notify any customers whose orders may be impacted by these circumstances.

Australia and New Zealand – 9 May

A shortage of equipment in Australia is leading to vessel bookings being rolled over. In New Zealand, due to a backlog of cargo in Australia, bookings are being redirected to and held at Tauranga.

 

Italy – 4 May

Infrastructure works are ongoing on the rail line in Germany, which may cause delays and some cancellations. As a result, train services from Italy to the UK may be also disrupted. Our team will endeavour to keep you informed and advise any customers whose orders may be affected by this action.

Australia and New Zealand – 4 May

The current shortage of equipment in Australia resulted in vessel bookings being rolled out. In New Zealand, due to a backlog of cargo in Australia, bookings are being rolled and held at the port of Tauranga.

 

April 2023

 

Impact of industrial action of HMRC on goods movements on 28 April 2023 – 26 April 

HMRC employees will be going on strike on Friday, 28 April 2023, including Border Force staff. The industrial action may impact the movement of goods through UK ports, airports and Inland Border Facilities, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France. There may also be some disruption on the morning of 29 April as business returns to normal.

If you can move goods outside of this period, we advise you to do so. If you cannot delay movements, please be aware that industrial action could lead to disruption and delays. We will advise you if your orders are affected. If you have any enquiries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact at Kukla UK Customs office.

Italy – 24 April

Infrastructure works are ongoing on the rail line. Therefore, delays and some cancellations are expected. In addition, a strike has been announced at the port of Venice from the 26th of April to the 28th, which may affect our customers. Our team will keep you informed and advise any customers whose orders may be impacted by this action.

Australia and New Zealand – 24 April

In Australia, more equipment is needed to prevent vessel bookings from being rolled. In New Zealand, the feeder service is causing some delays, and our agents are exploring alternative options. Additionally, there is still a shortage of 40ft containers in Nelson. Our team will notify any customers of any issues with their orders.

South Africa – 24 April

The recent poor weather has improved and more vessels are moving with minimal delays.

Australia and New Zealand – 20 April

A shortage of equipment in Australia is causing vessel bookings to be rolled. In New Zealand, there are some delays caused by the feeder service, and our agents are currently exploring alternative options. Our  team will notify customers if their orders are affected by this situation.

Italy rail disruption – Rail strike in Germany on Friday, 21st April – 19 April

The rail and transport union announced a nationwide rail strike in Germany on Friday, 21st of April. The action will take place during the busy morning hours from 3 am until 11 am, and there is expected to be a high level of participation in the action. As a result, train services from Italy to the UK may be disrupted, and delays and cancellations of trains running during this time are expected. Our team will keep you regularly informed and will advise any customers whose orders might be affected.

Italy – 18 April

A power outage in Zeebrugge may cause some delays. Our team is investigating the impact on orders. Please also note that infrastructure works are ongoing on the rail line around the German borders, which may result in delays and cancellations. Our team will inform customers if their orders are affected.

Update: Due to the upcoming bank holiday in Italy, several loading sites/exporters will be closed on the 21st and 24th of April, followed by the annual bank holiday Liberation Day on the 25th of April.

France – 18 April

No issues have been reported this week, but our team will closely monitor the port of Calais.

Spain – 18 April

The weather has improved and there are currently no issues.

Australia and New Zealand – 18 April

In Australia, there are no current issues. However, there is a shortage of 40ft containers at Nelson in New Zealand. Our team will notify customers if there are any issues with their orders.

South Africa – 18 April

The recent poor weather has improved, and vessels are moving with minimal delays.

Spain – 13 April

Due to adverse weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay, with waves reaching up to 7 meters, vessels will remain sheltered at the Bilbao quay. Our team will promptly update customers who are directly affected.

UK – 11 April

Poor weather has been forecasted for this week in some ports in the UK.

Italy – 11 April

There may be a backlog due to the Easter Bank Holiday, but as of yet, no issues have been reported to us. However, please note that infrastructure works are scheduled on the rail line from the 10th of April to the 15th of April, and delays and cancellations are expected. Our team will advise customers if their orders are affected.

France – 11 April

We have not been notified of any issues this week, but our team will closely monitor the port of Calais.

Australia and New Zealand – 11 April

There are no current issues in Australia. In New Zealand, there is a shortage of 40ft containers at Nelson, but our team will advise customers of any problems with their orders.

South Africa – 11 April

The recent poor weather conditions are improving, and more vessels are starting to depart.

South America – 11 April

Due to the fatal incident at San Antonio port last week, shipments booked to depart on the Santos Express and Volga ships are facing delays or changes of vessels. Our Deep Sea team has contacted any customers who are affected by the situation.

Italy – 4 April

The rail line in Italy has announced infrastructure works from 10 April to 15 April. Therefore, delays and some cancellations are expected. Our team will inform customers promptly if their orders are affected.

UK – 3 April

Port of Dover delays are now at a minimum with free-flowing traffic.

Italy – 3 April

There are driving bans in place for the upcoming Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

France – 3 April

Calais has been unaffected by the recent delays at Dover, and the Eurotunnel is offering a fluid service.

Spain – 3 April

Bad weather has been predicted for this week, which may affect port departures – the team will update as soon as they have more information.

Portugal – 3 April

This week, bad weather has been predicted, which may affect port departures. Our team will update you as soon as they have more information.

Australia and New Zealand – 3 April

There are no current issues in Australia. While in New Zealand, there is a current shortage of 40ft containers at Nelson, but the team will advise any customers of any issues with their orders.

South Africa – 3 April

The recent poor weather is showing signs of improvement and more vessels are beginning to depart.

South America – 3 April

We have had news that a fatal incident at San Antonio port has to be investigated by authorities. As a consequence, anything booked on the Santos Express and Volga ships may face delays. The Deep Sea team have already contacted any customers affected by this news, and as soon as we get further updates, we will let you know.

There are no issues in other regions.

March 2023

 

Italy – 29 March

We have observed several recent vessel delays that have affected some estimated times of arrival and deliveries. These delays are primarily caused by the recent earthquake in Turkey, which has resulted in congestion and delays in the East Mediterranean region. We actively collaborate with our partners to obtain accurate ETAs and minimise delivery disruptions. Our team will advise any affected customers about these situations.

Spain – 28 March

Due to adverse weather and high waves in the Bay of Biscay, crossing times are being affected. We will keep you informed as we receive more information.

Strikes expected across Europe next week – 24 March

There are several strikes planned in Germany, France and Italy next week. The German general transport strike is announced for 27th March, 2023, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm. The French general strike will begin on 27th March at 8:00 pm and end on 29th March at 8:00 am. The Italian rail strike is expected between 31st March at 9:00 pm and 1st April at 9:00 pm.

It is uncertain what impact these strikes will have, but we anticipate that there may be some train cancellations in Italy, which could disrupt departures and equipment circulation. As always, our team will continue to monitor all orders and advice on any shipments that may be affected.

Italy – 23 March

The German rail network we use for transporting goods was partially closed yesterday due to the disposal of a World War II-era bomb. As a result, several trains were cancelled and re-routed, which may cause congestion. Our team will update any customers whose orders may have been affected and had their estimated arrival time disrupted.

New Zealand – 21 March

Port Nelson in New Zealand is currently facing delays due to congestion and schedule disruptions. Rest assured that our team will advise customers of any issues that may affect their orders.

Italy – 20 March

The construction work on the rail line in Germany is still causing some delays.

France – 20 March

No planned industrial action this week. However, we are closely monitoring the situation in France.

Australia/New Zealand – 20 March

There are no current issues in Australia, and the number of port omissions has been reduced. In New Zealand, Feeder vessels at Nelson have been more consistent, with only the odd vessel being rolled.

South Africa – 20 March

The poor weather may continue for some time as it is a regular occurrence at this time of year. There is still limited availability of reefers.

South Africa – 15 March

We were notified that the port in Cape Town is ‘windbound’ and, currently, all vessel departures are impacted. Our team will promptly inform you if your orders are delayed.

UK – 13 March   

Due to the strong winds, arrivals and departures at UK ports may be disrupted. In addition, the industrial action announced for Wednesday, 15 March 2023 will likely impact the movement of goods through UK ports, airports and Inland Border Facilities UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France. We may continue to experience some delays on the morning of Thursday, 16 March as business returns to normal.

Italy – 13 March

The construction work on the rail line in Germany is still causing some delays. The rail terminals are quite full at the moment due to the delays with departures. A lack of southbound traffic may also impact the availability of northbound trucks and containers. Our team will advise if your orders are affected.

France – 13 March

Pending French strikes are being monitored by our team on Wednesday, 15 March and Thursday, 16 March 2023. The team will contact any customers potentially affected by this in due course.

Spain – 13 March

Current high winds may affect sailings. Our team are monitoring the situation.

Eastern Europe – 13 March

In our other Euro countries, the French strike and the current bad weather are causing some delays out of Eastern Europe, but we are re-routing where we can through the Eurotunnel to avoid too many delays to our service.

Australia/New Zealand – 13 March

There are no current issues in Australia, and the number of port omissions has been reduced. In New Zealand, Feeder vessels at Nelson have been more consistent, with only the odd vessel being rolled.

South Africa – 13 March

Due to the ongoing windy weather, there are still some delays; however, we have had notification of vessel departures. The team will update customers as soon as they can. This weather may continue for some time as it is a regular occurrence at this time of year. There is still limited availability of reefers.

UK – Impact of industrial action on 15 March 2023 for goods movements – 10 March

More than 100,000 civil service members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will be on strike on Wednesday, 15 March 2023. Some HMRC staff will participate as a result of a nationwide ballot in February in which HMRC members of PCS agreed to the industrial action. Additionally, the action will include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff.

As a consequence of the strike, the movement of goods through UK ports, airports and Inland Border Facilities on 15 March is likely to be affected. Customers contacting the National Clearance Hub (NCH) and Customs & International Trade (CIT) Helpline may experience delays. There may also be some disruptions on the morning of 16 March as business returns to normal.

Italy – 6 March

The construction work on the rail line in Germany is still causing some delays. The team will advise if your orders are affected.

France – 6 March

The team is monitoring pending French strikes – P&O are increasing their vessel availability this week to cope with demand. The team will contact any customers potentially affected by this in due course.

Portugal – 6 March

Last week’s transporter protest finished on Friday, 24 February. Currently, it appears to be no further issues.

Australia/New Zealand – 6 March

There are no current issues in Australia, and the number of port omissions has been reduced. In New Zealand, the cyclone and poor weather did not affect shipment dates very badly. Feeder vessels at Nelson have been consistent, with only the odd vessel being rolled.

South Africa – 6 March

Due to the ongoing windy weather, there are still delays for some vessels. The team will update customers as soon as they can. This weather may continue, on and off, as it is a regular occurrence at this time of year. There is still limited availability of reefers.

All other regions currently have no issues to report. (6 March)

February 2023

 

New Zealand – 28 February

Good news coming from New Zealand. The cyclone and poor weather did not affect shipment dates too severely. Feeder vessels at Nelson have been consistent, with only the odd vessel being rolled.

Italy – 27 February

The construction work on the rail line in Germany is still causing some delays. Our team will advise customers whose orders are affected.

Portugal – 27 February

Last week’s transporter protest ended on Friday, 24 February. Currently, there appear to be no further issues.

Australia/New Zealand – 27 February

There are no current issues in Australia, and the number of port omissions has been reduced. In New Zealand, we are waiting for updates on whether Cyclone Gabrielle has had any lasting effect on vessel departures.

South Africa – 27 February

Due to the recent windy weather, there are still delays for some vessels. Our team will update customers as soon as they can. This weather may continue on and off for some time as it is a regular occurrence at this time of year. In addition, there is still limited availability of reefers.

Portugual – 21 February

We have had information that there may be a transporter protest starting Wednesday the 22nd and ending Friday the 24th, which may impact containers getting into the Port of Lexoes. As we get more information, our team will advise customers who are affected.

UK – 20 February

The UK Border Force strike is concluding today and we hope normal service will resume tomorrow. Our teams will advise any customers who have had orders affected by this action.

Italy – 20 February

Construction work on the rail line in Germany is causing occasional congestion and departures from the Italian terminal in Melzo are facing some delays. Our team will advise if necessary.

Australia/New Zealand – 20 February

In New Zealand, ports still operate under a reduced service due to the effects caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Our team will advise as soon as they have further updates.

South Africa – 20 February

Cape Town port has been windbound all weekend and all vessels have been delayed. This weather may continue as it is a regular occurrence during this time of year. Our team are updating customers as necessary. There is still limited availability of reefers.

South Africa – 17 February

Cape Town port is experiencing strong winds and no vessels are arriving or departing. This situation could persist throughout the weekend. Our team will update you as soon as we have new information. There is still limited availability of reefers.

UK – PCS Border Force industrial action between 17 and 20‌‌‌ ‌‌February at South East ports – 14 February

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) Border Force industrial action between 17 and 20 February 2023 will affect the movement of goods travelling to the UK through UK border controls in the French ports of Calais and Dunkirk and the Coquelles Eurotunnel Terminal. 

The action, announced by PCS, will involve Border Force officers based in Dover, Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles who are PCS members but not HMRC staff. The strike will continue until 7 am on Monday, 20 February.

Italy – 14 February

There are some delays in getting orders out of Italy due to last week’s rail disruption and Italian export clearance issues. Our team will be in touch with the customers who are affected.

New Zealand – Update on the severe disruptions caused by Cyclone Gabrielle – 14 February

It has been reported in the national newspapers that Cyclone Gabrielle is the worst storm to hit New Zealand this century, as NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Tuesday, 14 February. The country announced a national state of emergency. The storm devastated large parts of North Island, and the minister said “this is climate change” and an “unprecedented” natural disaster.

“We are still building a picture of the effects of the cyclone as it continues to unfold. But what we do know is the impact is significant and it is widespread.”, Hipkins said.

South Africa – 13 February

There are occasional delays in South Africa due to bad weather, and reefers are still limited. Our team will advise as necessary.

In all other areas, there are no current issues.

New Zealand – Port operations affected by Cyclone Gabrielle – 13 February

There is a developing situation in New Zealand ports due to Cyclone Gabrielle causing disruption. In Tauranga the vessels will return offshore as soon as it is safe. Shipping movements remain suspended due to high swells. In Auckland, due to uncertainty concerning the direction of Cyclone Gabrielle, the terminal will vacate all vessels alongside the berths and not berth any other vessels in the next 36-48 hours minimum until it is deemed safe to do so. Port Napier is closed from 13 February at 15:00 hours until 15 February at 23:59 hours.

Italy – Export customs important information – 10 February

We were informed that the Italian customs systems are currently down. Numerous export clearance offices are unable to complete export customs until the issue is resolved. As a result, loading sites are waiting for responses from Italian customs. While it is not yet clear what impact this will have, our team is working closely with colleagues in Italy and will advice any customers on orders that are affected as soon as we receive any information.

France – 8 February

It is expected that there will be a National Day of Action in France on 9 February 2023, which will affect multiple outlets and services throughout the country. Port operations will be suspended from 8:00 and will resume at 17:00 (CET).

Italy – 7 February

There were some cancellations of train departures over the weekend. Our partners on the rail network are endeavouring to get departures back on track as services were resumed on Monday morning. We are checking orders and will advise if necessary.

Australia/New Zealand – 7 February

The recent New Zealand floods are not currently affecting orders. Australia and New Zealand are still facing port omission issues, and some orders may be facing slight delays. However, the situation is showing signs of improvement.

South Africa – 7 February

There are occasional port omissions due to delays prior to Cape Town, and Cape Town itself is still experiencing bad weather. The team advise as necessary. There is limited availability of reefers.

In all other areas, there are no current issues.

New Zealand – 2 February

In Auckland and Tauranga ports congestion eased slightly. Average delays of two days in Auckland and six days in Tauranga due to vessel bunching and yard congestion.

 

January 2023

 

UK – 30 January

UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff, have announced industrial action for Wednesday, the 1st February, 2023. Please be assured that we are monitoring the situation and assessing which orders may be affected. 

France – 30 January

Further French strike action is planned for 31 January, likely with delays at ports. Other routes are being looked into, and alternatives will be arranged if necessary.

Portugal – 30 January

The January strikes are now over in Portugal and the recent bad weather is showing signs of improving.

Australia/New Zealand – 30 January

The recent New Zealand floods are not currently affecting orders. Both Australia and New Zealand are still facing port omission issues and some orders may be facing slight delays. However the situation is showing signs of improvement.

South Africa – 30 January

Strong winds in South Africa are delaying some vessels. Our Deep Sea team are advising customers as needed.

South America – 30 January

In South America, no change.

Italy, Spain, Germany, USA – 30 January

There are no current issues in Italy, Spain, Germany and the rest of Europe, the USA and the rest of the Deep Sea.

UK – ALVS downtime on 19 February – 27 January

The Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) warned that will conduct essential maintenance on the Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS) between 8 am and 9 pm on Sunday, 19 February, 2023. This will affect declarations submitted through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) or the Customs Handling of Import Export Freight (CHIEF) system that require automatic approval from ALVS, which may take slightly longer than usual. The government is asking traders to avoid moving goods during this timeframe, if possible.

Italy – 23 January

Due to high winds in Rotterdam, operations have been reduced recently. Some delays have occurred with the vessels departing for the UK, however the team are monitoring the situation closely and will advice of any delays as necessary.

France – 23 January

Kukla is monitoring the potential strike planned in France for 26 January and taking steps to minimise any disruptions to the transit times. While delays out of Calais and Dunkerque are expected if the strike goes ahead, we are exploring alternative routes to ensure that shipments arrive on time.

Portugal – 23 January

Departures may be affected in Portugal due to regular Monday and Friday strikes announced during January. Additionally, bad weather is causing some delays.

Australia and New Zealand – 23 January

Both Australia and New Zealand are experiencing port omission issues, and some orders may be slightly delayed.

South Africa – 23 January

There is currently limited availability of reefers.

South America – 23 January

Kukla is still monitoring the weather, which has been improving. Our Deep Sea team will advise anyone whose orders may be affected by delays in the estimated departure time.

France – distribution – 20 January

UPDATE: Due to the National Day of Action in France on 19 January, port operations were suspended between 08:00 and 17:00. Kukla team will update any customers who have been affected by this.

The National Day of Action in France today, Thursday 19 January, may cause disruption to outlets and services across France and which could also effect intra-European movements to and from neighboring countries.

Our team is closely monitoring the situation and will be in touch if any orders have been severely impacted.

However if you do have any concerns or require specific updates, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Kukla kukla.uk.France@kukla-spedition.com or Kukla Commercial Kukla.uk.commercial@kukla-spedition.com. 

Spain

Weather conditions in Spain are causing some delays.

South America

The weather is closely monitored in South America too. Due to the potential impact on shipping schedules, there may be delays in the estimated departure time. Our Deep Sea team is working to minimise any disruptions and will advise customers if required.