The world’s top shipping line Maersk is urging congested U.S. East Coast ports to use the Suez Canal delays to clear cargo from terminals.
With shipping resumed through the Suez Canal, delayed Maersk vessels which were scheduled to arrive at East Coast ports from April 6 through at least a week will be delayed some 4 to 7 days, subject to change depending on available berthing space at terminals.
“The gap of several vessel arrivals to the US East Coast from April 6th and approximately a week forward, will be industry wide as vessels start to clear the Suez channel or arrive from the travelling south of Cape Horn,” Maersk said in an advisory dated April 2nd.
“As USEC ports have experienced congestion in recent months, and we urge all logistics partners to take this opportunity to clear cargo from terminals which will allow them to operate more efficiently. In addition, this period provides a space to return empty containers and dwelling chassis with less traffic and congestion. This will ready the industry infrastructure best possible for when the delayed vessels will arrive and enable fastest possible deliveries after discharge,” the advisory said.
Ports impacted specifically include the ports of Newark, Savannah and Charleston.
“These industry wide delays are very unfortunate, and we strive to make all possible information available to our customers as they become available,” Maersk said.
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