Quote
North America Operations Update Week of November 09, 2015
Dear valued OOCL Customer,
Panama Canal Delays
The Panama Canal continues to experience vessel crossing congestion which is expected to be main a concern in the coming months due to planned lock outage for maintenance. Present idling for un-booked vessels remain around 7 days. OOCL and G6 ship operators continue to pre-book in advance (up to 3 weeks) to avoid long idling at the canal. Vessels are pre-booked with 24 hours buffer time, and thus up to a 24 hours proforma schedule delay is being experienced at present.
Winter Sailing Program
G6 Alliance announces Asia-North America Winter Program
Members of the G6 Alliance announced the Winter Program for Asia – North America services in response to traditional seasonal changes in market demand. The following are the temporary changes:
Asia – North America East Coast Service
The G6 Alliance has combined the NYE and SCE services into a single service with the following port rotation:
Xiamen – Kaohsiung – Hong Kong – Yantian – Shanghai (Yangshan) – Pusan – Panama Canal – Manzanillo – Kingston – Savannah – Charleston – New York – Norfolk – Jacksonville – Kingston – Manzanillo – Panama Canal – Balboa – Pusan – Xiamen
The last sailings of the temporarily suspended NYE and SCE services are as follows:
- NYE:
- Week 44 Eastbound (Sailed)
- Week 48 Westbound (ETA Savannah November 23, 2015)
- SCE
- Week 43 E/B (Sailed)
- Week 48 W/B (ETA Savannah November 22, 2015)
Asia – North America West Coast Service
The G6 Alliance will temporarily suspend the Central China 2 (CC2) service between Asia and the North America West Coast during the winter period starting from Week 44.
The Busan Eastbound call will be added to the CC4 during the CC2 suspension resulting in the following rotation:
Shanghai (WaiGaoQiao) – Ningbo – Busan – Los Angeles – Oakland – Shanghai (WaiGaoQiao)
Note: Central China 1 (CC1) is the primary route for Busan Cargo.
Trans-Atlantic Trade – Winter Program
In response to the expected low demand during the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, we would like to inform you of the withdrawal of the following Trans-Atlantic sailings:
Gateway Express 2 (GEX2) service
- Westbound: No sailing from Southampton on December 28, 2015
- Eastbound: No sailing from Montreal on December 31, 2015
Atlantic Express 2 (AX2) service
- Westbound: No sailing from Southampton on January 2, 2016
- Eastbound: No sailing from Veracruz on January 23, 2016
Other Vessel and Terminal Information
Information for export cargo container receiving windows as reported by North America terminals continues to be updated daily on OOCL.com.
Vessel Schedule
For the most up to date scheduling information please do refer to our interactive point to point or vessel schedule on www.oocl.com.
North America Rail Operations
BNSF – As much of the South experiences mild fall conditions, winter weather and some freezing temperatures have moved into parts of the BNSF’s North and Central Regions. The first measurable snow fell last week in parts of North Dakota and across several western states, including the Denver area. While more seasonable weather was in place for the past weekend, another round of snowy weather is expected in parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains this week. Each of BNSF’s 12 operating divisions has a Winter Action Plan that is reviewed annually to ensure the necessary resources and procedures are in place for each division’s unique operating conditions.
Truck Power
Truck Power to perform import store door deliveries and export door pickups continues to be a concern along the entire US West Coast, specifically in Oakland and the SEA/TAC-Portland corridor.
- There is a shortage of trucking companies willing to dray hazardous containers.
- There are no truck power issues in Canada or Mexico.
- Please see our Truck Power Map on OOCL.com for more information regarding advance timing required for door movements.
Pacific Southwest
- TraPac is experiencing congestion. TraPac is changing it’s regularly Sunday night gate for import deliveries to a Saturday night gate for import deliveries. This is in addition to the existing Saturday day side PierPASS full gate operation.
- Truck power remains stable.
- Bare chassis supply at most Pool of Pool facilities is now surplus.
Oakland
- OICT was extremely congested last week with long lines of trucks outside the terminal gates. Gate turn times averaged 57 minutes. Chronic yard congestion is compounded by chassis shortages. Dual transactions were shut off early between 3:15-3:45pm daily.
- Trapac operations were extremely congested last week. Gate turn times averaged 48 minutes.
The terminal is holding a 3-day vessel receiving window for exports. Trapac was very short of pool chassis (all sizes) every day last week. The terminal will be closed on Nov 11th for the Veteran’s Day holiday. - OICT Oakland is sponsoring a Thursday night gate, November12th, from 1800-0300 for empty and export receiving only. This is a terminal initiative to reduce congestion with no cost to truckers, customers, or carriers.
- Oakland is extremely short of chassis and truck power; new dispatches are not being accepted for eight days out. Truck power situation is primarily caused by slow import deliveries, early afternoon restrictions on dual transactions at OICT, and driver waiting time for a bare chassis to become available.
Tacoma & Seattle
- Tacoma WUT was moderately congested. Gate turn times averaged 35 minutes. The terminal posts an announcement on their web site which vessel(s) they will receive export cargo on the following day. The terminal will be closed on Nov 11th for the Veteran’s Day holiday.
- Seattle T-18 was moderately congested. Gate turn times averaged 31 minutes. The terminal will be closed on Nov 11th for the Veteran’s Day holiday.
- SEA-TCM is tight on truck power.
Vancouver
- This week the CN evacuated an average of 3 eastbound import intermodal trains each day from DeltaPort Terminal. Deltaport and Centerm Terminals are fluid.
CN Montreal
- CAST and Termont Terminals are very fluid and there are no intermodal imports dwelling more than 4 days.
CN Halifax
- The terminal remains very fluid and no intermodal containers dwelling for more than 2 days.
New York Terminals
- Gate turn times:
- GCT Bayonne – 104 minutes
- GCT New York – 25 minutes
- Maher – 48 minutes
- Wednesday, November 11th is an ILA holiday in NYC. All marine terminals will be closed with the exception of GCT Bayonne.
- Door delivery truck power lead time remains 0-2 days in the NYC metro area.
- There is still no date for commencement of the NYC market chassis pool. While the Port Authority and NYSA maintains that it is close, there have been complications with labor jurisdiction issues as well as the creation of a joint venture between the leasing companies.
Norfolk International Terminal
- Gate turn time at NIT was 53 minutes.
- Truck power lead time was 0-2 days in Norfolk.
- All facilities will be open on Wednesday, November 11th.
USA Midwest & South Central
- Truck power remains adequate throughout the Midwest and Gulf.
- Chassis are very tight in Columbus.
- HOU’s Barbour’s Cut Terminal was moderately congested with gate turn times averaging 49 minutes.
South Atlantic
- Traffic between Charleston and Greer, SC is still delayed by 12-24 hours. Normal service will not resume until a bridge is replaced north of Columbia, SC which is on a major portion of the NS mainline. Latest projected date is still mid-November.
- Truck power for this region remains readily available.
Mexico
- Services at marine terminals in both Veracruz and Altamira were normal last week.
- Depot, trucking, and rail services were all normal.
Yours Sincerely,
OOCL North America
Unquote