In a customer advisory MSC said:
“Due to the current challenging situation generating terminal congestions and
longer waiting times in Asia and Mediterranean ports, MSC is planning to adjust the sailing program on its Asia to the
Mediterranean network to match the actual departure dates from Asia.”
The week 25 sailing of MSC’s and Maersk’s Jade/AE11 service has been pushed to week
26 on the MSC Amelia and is now expected to depart Qingdao on 1 July. Meanwhile
the week 26 sailing of MSC’s Tiger and Maersk’s AE15 service has been shifted
to week 27 and the MSC Mirjam is expected to depart Busan on 2 July.
“Due to significant terminal congestions in
Mediterranean and Asia ports, we are experiencing substantial delays in our
vessel schedules. This congestion has resulted in extended waiting times at
various ports, impacting our ability to maintain regular schedules,” Maersk
said in a customer advisory.
Rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope adds
around two weeks sailing to an Asia – Med voyage and there are reports of growing
congestion at Med ports and key hubs in Asia such as Singapore. As shippers
scramble for space ahead of the peak season spot rates have shot up to their
highest levels since August 2022 with the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index
passing the 3,000 points mark on 31 May.