It is reported that the UK’s major container ports are full of unclaimed container cargo and have begun to refuse to return empty containers that are urgently needed in Asia.
An industry insider explained that the severe shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers faced by the UK has greatly extended container detention times in the past few weeks, and the country’s major container port fees The port of Lixtow is even “in danger of a complete shutdown”.
On October 5, the Port of Felixstowe suspended the empty container return operations of Maersk, CMA CGM and Evergreen Shipping. Other shipping lines are expected to be subject to the port’s restrictions, but there is no sign yet of a complete stoppage of accepting empty containers, or a halt to export shipments.
Subsequently, due to the influx of a large number of empty containers into London Gateway, the port authorities decided to suspend the empty container return business from 18:00 on October 7.
Evergreen stated in a customer consultation report that due to the large number of imported containers entering the port against the backdrop of a shortage of drivers in the UK, its empty containers at the Port of Felixstowe are temporarily unable to be returned.
The company said its team had received a large number of email inquiries since the Felixstowe Port gates closed. “Unfortunately we have no choice but to temporarily move all empty containers to Tilbury, Liverpool, Teesport and Tyne.”
It added that the unloading location may change and customers are advised to contact their team before returning any containers.
Evergreen said it would waive additional fees for unloading containers at the terminal, but shippers are suffering additional transit times and shipping costs. One forwarder said the additional cost per box was up to £500 ($680).
At the same time, on October 6, Maersk also stated in its customer advisory report that there were a large number of empty containers at the Port of Felixstowe terminal The return of empty containers has been suspended in the hope of avoiding further port congestion.
The company recommends transporting empty containers to the London gateway port, or returning empty containers at the following feeder ports: Grangemouth , South shields, Immingham, Hull, Seaforth, Teesport.
A freight forwarder said that as time goes by, the situation at the Port of Felixstowe will get worse and worse. Now we can no longer return empty containers there, but also transfer them to Other ports, this will have further impact on future pickups. The knock-on effects will cause more damage than congestion, and by next week it will be a major problem.
It is reported that some shipping companies are considering skipping calls at British ports until the backlog of imported cargo eases, and unloading the cargo at the Port of Rotterdam or Antwerp for eventual transit back to the UK. Long delays caused by port hopping and switching discharge ports will pose a serious threat to the UK Christmas market.
In response, the Port of Felixstowe issued a statement saying: “We have recently increased the storage space available for empty containers and have had ongoing dialogue with all customers in recent weeks regarding the increase in the number of empty containers at the port. .Each customer knows its allocated capacity and manages its inventory accordingly.”
On October 8, Maersk issued an announcement stating that the Port of Felixstowe has resumed operations for The company’s empty container return business, however, due to the influx of a large number of empty containers into the London Gateway Port, the port authorities decided to suspend the return of empty containers from 18:00 on October 7.
According to the announcement, Maersk stated that it has found additional berthing windows to introduce additional loading ships, so from 16:00 on October 8, Felik The Port of Stowe has resumed its empty container return operations. It said that for any urgent returns, an empty warehouse in Ipswich has been procured for immediate use.
It is reported that Maersk has dispatched an additional loading vessel at the Port of Felixstowe to clear empty containers at East Coast ports. On the 7th, the 4,500teu Maersk Cape Coast container ship docked at the Trinity Terminal in Felixstowe Port to load Maersk empty containers piled at the port.
In addition, Maersk also stated in the announcement that due to the suspension of the return of empty containers at Felixstowe Port, a large number of empty containers were transported to the London Gateway Port, causing congestion at the port. Due to the high density of the storage yard, the London Gateway Port authorities made the difficult decision to suspend the return of empty containers from 18:00 on October 7. Maersk expects the port to resume empty container returns early next week. </p
