27/5/2021

Dear Valued Customers,

As many of you’re aware there continues to be capacity restraints at all major New Zealand Ports and on rail infrastructure. The increased import volumes, terminal & vessel delays has now created a capacity situation for many of the empty container parks. 

Below is an overview of each terminals current challenges; 

Ports

Auckland:- challenges continue with combined operations at the ‘Auto’ and the ‘Manual’ terminals. Headway has been made with recruitment and plans are being considered for reviewing a hybrid model to move to semi dedicated berthing windows. Timing for go live for Automation is now to be advised (vs initial plan as July) and therefore reinstatement of proforma berth windows will be delayed accordingly (vs initial plan as August). Average 5-6 days delay to obtain a working berth. 

Tauranga:- With the additional rail capacity, yard utilization has significantly improved to average 70-80%. Average of 3-4 days delay to obtain a working berth. Awaiting official announcement from the Port on plans to reinstate proforma berth windows. 

Napier:- Impacted this week by sea swells, closing the Port until this coming weekend. Peak export season has seen full yard utilisation. Large volumes of necessary empty container discharges, has meant the close management of terminal operations and restriction to a 6 day export receival window continues. 

Lyttleton, Timaru and Port Chalmers:- based on the peak export season and disrupted vessel schedules, the terminals are at very high capacity but coping with vessels working through on current exchanges. 

A reminder to all export customers in the current environment, to adhere to the vessel receival windows given the tight and in some case 100% utilised terminals. 

Please also note with continued delays to our many service schedules through the New Zealand coast, planned tranships may change due to missed connections. Our Booking teams continue to review these based on the changing schedules to optimize your supply chain, however some late changes maybe experienced.

Rail

Metroport imports:- “Shuttle Select” is currently at ‘proforma’ 2 days, while non Shuttle Select transits are at around 3-4 days following additional capacity added over the last month. 

Empty Container Parks 

There has been no official announcement from the main carriers however updates have been received from Transporters and CFS stations that the capacity issues facing Auckland container parks may see the lines imposing empty FCL returns to locations outside of Auckland. 

BRi has been discussing this with carriers and will advise if any changes are imposed to alleviate the situation. 

Keeping you Informed!

 

BRi Customer Solutions Team

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