Americas
May 24, 2023
On the ocean
We've been managing capacity as best as possible given unprecedented circumstances to support our customers and keep their cargo moving. We encourage you to continue to communicate with our dedicated sales organization and provide accurate forecasts. Accurate forecasts will support better deployment of our capacity across our trades and in turn better support your business.
In addition, given port congestion and labor constraints at some of our ports in North America, please consider delivering your cargo following cut off guidelines (taking into account washing and fumigation timelines). As a result, we kindly ask you to consider delivery of your cargo as close as possible to receiving cut off (vessel ETA). This will allow us to better utilize space at our ports and terminals as well as allow for more efficient vessel loading and unloading operations. Early delivery of cargo is causing high inventory levels and it is impacting our efficiency and flexibility to operate our vessels.
In ports and terminals
Port operations are working very hard to ensure safe and efficient service in our ports. High occupancy levels at some of our key ports, as well as very low pick-up rates, are some of the main challenges. We are continuing to work with partners to mitigate further delays and ensure safe and efficient vessel operations.
Baltimore: Terminal has been relying on its larger footprint at Dundalk to accommodate increased import and export volumes. We have also secured additional land to continue to be able to handle future shipments. Vessel bunching has also improved.
Savannah and Brunswick: Terminal and berth congestion may periodically occur due to ongoing construction at both ports.
Galveston: port is nearing max capacity to increased cargo dwell times and increase in vessel calls.
Tacoma: Parts of the port remain congested.
Port Hueneme: Increased congestion due to rise in vehicle imports from Asia.
Vancouver: There is significant congestion at Annacis and Richmond terminals which is leading to vessel delays
Veracruz: Terminal remains very full with limited space for vehicles.
Angamos: Vessels waiting times remain 5-7 days due to an increase number of breakbulk and dry bulk vessels.
Callao: We are continuing to call Pisco as alternative where our vessels are able to berth upon arrival and operate without delays.
At our processing centers
Vehicle processing:
Operations: Our port processing centers are open and operational. As production continues to be disrupted, we continue to be flexible in the services we offer, how we organize our sites, as well as seeking additional storage options where necessary.
Mexico: All facilities remain open and operational; safety measures continue to be in place in all of them to ensure the health of our employees. We are working closely with plant production and vehicle distribution areas in every facility across the country to ensure and adjust capacity/resources as they face intermittent shutdowns due lack of components to assemble vehicles.
Canada: In Annacis, inbound volumes continue to be lower than typical seasonal volumes. Currently, due to the lower volumes, there are not any operational or vessel constraints affecting throughput or capacity. With the lower volumes this has had minimal impact on the overall service. We continue to anticipate an increase in volume and are preparing our staffing for a return to those levels.
Equipment processing:
Operations: Our equipment processing centers in the U.S. and Panama are open and operational, though with reduced staff in some locations to reflect demand.
Capacity: We continue to see strong volumes at both our on-port and off-port EPC sites and encourage our customers to both look at their upcoming forecasts and any planned changes to assist planning for our operations teams.
Inland distribution
Keen Transport’s trucks are operational and deliver units to and from ports, plants and dealerships. The regional maintenance facilities are open to keep the fleet on the road, as well as our permitting team to secure necessary approvals.