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Southampton struggles as boxes stack up

[ October 1, 2018   //   ]

DP World said on 28 September that it was experiencing very high stack levels in Southampton which was affecting on the port’s productivity.
Many of shipping lines are over their empty limit allowance which had filled the empties park with containers overflowing into the regular stack.  This, in turn, is blocking space for normal imports and exports.

The unusually large number of empty containers, coupled with the normal pre-season peak volumes, has put additional pressure on the yard. Boxes are stacked more densely, limiting manoeuvrability, which means it takes longer to pick and load boxes.
There has also been a large rise in transhipment containers, although the port has now asked lines to temporarily stop using Southampton to tranship empties from the US to Asia.
Some lines are also skipping ports to make up for delays elsewhere and, in some instances, discharging cargo in Southampton instead of its original destination. Howevever, DPWS said it is now asking the lines prior consultation before using Southampton to discharge cargo for other ports.
After the August bank holiday, import dwell times went up by 40% meaning boxes staying on the terminal for a least a day and a half longer than normal before being collected.

The port has extended weekend opening hours, waiving the Saturday charge and opening all day on Sundays at no extra charge.

It is also talking to rail operators to bring in additional train services.
DPWS has also reduced the export-receiving window from the usual 10 days to seven to deter export boxes being brought into the terminal too far in advance of the vessel’s arrival.

 

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