| Biosecurity delays and threats adding cost to supply chain Stockwell International have received information regarding biosecurity delays and threats adding costs to the supply chain. Currently it is taking at least 7-8 days to book inspections. Increased biosecurity risks, and delays for biosecurity clearance at the border are adding costs to an already costly supply chain.Industry peak body Freight and Trade Alliance has raised concerns that some of these new and emerging risks may take limited biosecurity resources away from business-as-usual trade facilitation activities.FTA director Paul Zalai said the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry uses labour-intensive processes with biosecurity officers physically assessing import documentation and selecting consignments on a set criterion for inspection. Find out more | Biosecurity delays and threats adding cost to supply chain – Daily Cargo News (thedcn.com.au) Stockwell International will continue to keep you updated with any new information we receive. For any further questions contact [email protected] |
NEWS: Shanghai Covid scare raises spectre of further lockdown disruption
 Stockwell International would like to update you on the changing situation in Shanghai which could result in potential lockdowns and further congestions and delays. We would also recommend that clients begin forward planning for Christmas orders to avoid the stress! For further information, contact [email protected]. Article: With mass testing again underway, there are renewed fears that Shanghai could go back into lockdown and disrupt peak season. It’s only been five weeks since the major port and manufacturing hub emerged from its two-month “zero-Covid” ordeal, and already several districts are undergoing mass testing again, from today until Thursday. Officials say the measures are needed to avert another citywide lockdown, but critics claim mass testing has generally been the precursor to further restrictions in China, not the prevention. Nevertheless, UBS Global Wealth Management said it expects “rolling mini-lockdowns” for the rest of the year, which would be “less disruptive to supply chains”. The lockdown threat is not limited to Shanghai. According to Bloomberg, up to 30m people in China are currently under some form of Covid restrictions, with the current hot spots being Henan province and the South China port city of Guangzhou, which is also carrying out mass testing again. The latest Covid scare comes at time when China’s ports and supply chains are already under pressure. Zencargo said: “Although the rise in cases has not yet impacted shipments, there is growing concern that local lockdowns in China will result in further congestion in already strained ports.“ In addition to restrictions, Chinese vessels have been affected by typhoons, impacting operations in Ningbo, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and resulting in fewer vessels berthing.”Indeed, the forwarder said the average waiting time for vessels to berth at Shanghai was up from 12 to 24 hours, and that “most terminals” have severe congestion at Ningbo, due to the bad weather.“ There is potential for longer berthing times at Yantian for vessels arriving from high-risk ports due to Covid-testing requirements,” Zencargo added. “Qingdao has also been impacted by fog and bad weather resulting in an average waiting time of 48 to 96 hours.” Looking ahead, Zencargo said that, while rates have fallen due to vessel utilisation dropping for “the first time in two years”, the trend could be short-lived.“Peak season, expected in late July and August, could see worsening congestion leading to potential delayed or blank sailings,” the company explained. “This will put pressure on capacity and therefore rates are likely to increase.” In the meantime, however, freight rates ex-China are continuing to slide downwards, according to Freightos, reflecting a fundamental change in market conditions compared with this time last year. Head of research Judah Levine said: “Freightos Baltic Index data shows that the current spot rate of $7,326 per 40ft container on the Asia-US West Coast lane is less than half the rate in the last week of April.”Rates have continued to fall through June and into July, he added, even as Shanghai reopened, therefore a “drop in underlying demand was likely also a cause of falling rates in May, and is the most likely culprit keeping rates declining since early June.“ That prices are continuing to fall while, this time last year, they were beginning their meteoric 80% peak season climb over the course of July, points to the different underlying market conditions at play,” Mr Levine said. |
Western Australia Terminal Congestion and Delivery Delays Update
Stockwell International would like to provide our clients an update on terminal congestion and delivery delays in Western Australia.
Due to continued effects of Covid-19, industrial action, port closures our team is seeing on-going congestion and delays in Western Australia that are resulting in potential additional charges for wharf storage, empty container detention and other related costs.
In addition to this, limited availability of slots at wharf/ empty container parks and congestion caused by high volumes that are beyond our control.
Stockwell International will continue to monitor and update you on the developing situation and endeavour to make this period as uncomplicated as possible.
If you have any further questions, please contact sales@stockwellteam
Fuel Surcharge
Air Freight
NOTE: Stockwell International would like to inform you that import and export air handling / terminal fees are increasing due to market costs going up.
Stockwell International would like to inform you of the updated fuel surcharge for the month of July.
Effective July 1st 2022
For the East Coast of Australia, the fuel surcharge will be at 22%.
Effective June 1st 2022
South Australia, our fuel surcharge will now be 32% for metro transport in Adelaide.
Western Australia, our fuel surcharge will be 30% for metro transport in Perth and Fremantle.
Stockwell International will endeavour to keep you updated with the most recent information as it become available to us.
For any other questions or enquiries please contact [email protected]
