Imports:

• Cyclone Gabrielle has caused widespread disruption to air and sea freight operations, including Auckland airport, Auckland port, Port of Tauranga, Napier, container yards, freight facilities, rail, road carriers, and interisland ferries.
• Port of Tauranga is experiencing heavy vessel congestion, leading to a spike in last-minute vessel diversions, delays at anchorage before being allocated a berth, and delays in general. Expect delays.
• Napier Port sites will remain closed until midday on Thursday, 16th February.
• Auckland container depot congestion is causing delays in the rotation of mainly import containers. The main centers, especially Auckland, are operating at an overcapacity level, and depots have either shut altogether for lengthy periods or greatly restricted the number of acceptance bookings issued. Trucking companies are uplifting empty containers from importers’ premises and then hubbing the containers called in until they can obtain an active acceptance with a matching booking, many days later. The backlog of hubbed containers waiting to be dehired is significant.
• While international freight rates have largely progressively reduced, the long-term lack of investment in infrastructure and human resourcing in New Zealand will continue to be a major impediment to the efficient port, rail, landside movement of freight locally.

Exports:

• Tappers has implemented a new procedure that requires shippers/exporters to clearly label all cargo on all four sides and attach a copy of the Booking Confirmation to the outside of the cargo for delivery to avoid the potential of mislabeling and/or receiving the incorrect freight. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the cargo being rejected.
• Cyclone Gabrielle has caused havoc with road, port, and container depot closures across the North Island.
• Congestion at the Port of Tauranga had worsened prior to the cyclone, with wait times of 14 days. Wait times are expected to escalate to 16-17 days, and carriers are diverting vessels from Tauranga or omitting. There will be disruption for all services in the coming weeks. Departure and close off dates are changing quickly, so it is essential to monitor Port websites closely and aim to have containers on port at the first opportunity.
• Equipment shortages continue for Hapag Lloyd, ANL, & CMA CGM & Maersk, and Nelson, Port Chalmers, and Napier are the most impacted.