Shipping Australia understands that the land-side supply chain around Brisbane is starting to become highly concerning with a shortage of depot space, significant delays on rail, and a shortage of trucks.
We also understand that next year’s cotton export season is expected to be quite a doozy with even higher volumes forecast for next compared when compared to this year.
Obviously, a shortage of land-side capacity and high demand for containers could lead to problems, disappointment and frustrations for everyone working in the south-east-Queensland supply chain who wants a container.
Shipping Australia suggests that shippers / exporters may want to consider preparing early for a strong 2023 export season. Shippers may also want to consider a switch where possible from twenty foot dry containers to forty foot dry containers – especially if they are shipping a lighter cargo.
REMEMBER: Australia imports mostly forty foot containers so forty footers are generally in greater supply than twenty footers. Also bear in mind that exporters who are shipping heavy commodities such as grain will make a beeline for twenty foot containers because there are weight limits imposed by law on how much cargo can be put in any one container.
We understand that there are currently generally higher volumes of both inbound and outbound containers and that these volumes are generally putting local logistics operations under pressures. There are also said to be staff shortage issues. We understand that logisticians have allocated extra resources, and some have moved to seven-day-a-week operations, however congestion and delays are said to be occurring nonetheless, delivery times continue to be pushed out, and further delays are thought to be inevitable.
As a reminder, Shipping Australia strongly urges everyone involved in the export of food items (grains, nuts, etc) to remember that a “clean” container is not a “food” container. If a shipper wants a food quality container then he or she must specifically ask for a “food grade” or a “food quality” container. Remember too that food grade containers are typically in much shorter supply than non-food grade containers.
Read this document to find out more about clean vs food grade containers.
Read this document to find out why food grade containers generally only have limited availability.
Exporters may also want to give some thought to reviewing their processes.
It is said to be vital that logisticians receive electronic delivery orders and clearance on time to avoid cancellations of deliveries. Re-booking will likely result in days more delay.
It is also said to be essential that pre-receival advices are completed in good time otherwise this will cause double-handling, delays and extra costs. We further understand that such a slowing down of processes runs the risk of shipments missing timeslots and / or missing cut-offs completely. Shippers might want to talk to their third party freight services provider for more details and for help.
Meanwhile, on the marine side, it is reported by global forwarders that ships are being delayed at ports by anywhere up to one to five days in the Brisbane area.
Shippers may also want to give careful consideration to keeping a close eye on the location of their containers and where they are in the system so as to avoid incurring ongoing container hire fees. Meanwhile, as we always comment in relation to this topic, it is important to stay in contact with shipping lines.
