Congested ports face more disruptions prompted by labour disputes amongst dock workers.
According to the latest analysis from Drewry, strike action at major German and UK ports has caused major disruption to carrier schedules and has adversely impacted port performance with soaring dwell times.
A series of dockworker strikes impacted the main German seaports in June and July, while the UK Ports of Felixstowe and Liverpool committed to multiple strike actions in recent weeks.
In response to these planned strike actions, carriers took steps to divert vessels away from the impacted terminals.
Drewry’s analysis, published in its “Ports and Terminals Insight”, shows a significant increase in pre-berth waiting time – especially in Hamburg, where larger mainline vessels incurred an average four-day wait to enter the port in July and August.
While agreement with the unions has now been reached in Germany, labour availability remains challenging and high yard occupancy is impacting productivity.
In the UK, cargo handling operations at Felixstowe also remain disrupted, due to the backlog created by eight-day walkouts by dock labour in both late August and late September/early October.
Strike action at Liverpool is further adding to shipper woes. As a result, Drewry anticipates disruption to continue through Q4 22.
Drewry’s view is that rising inflation increases the likelihood of strike action in other markets as dock labourers push for higher wages to address the increasing cost of living.
Disruption on the US West Coast remains a risk as labour contract negotiations remain ongoing between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and employer body Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).