Port of Baltimore – Ocean Carrier Notices

Please find below carrier notices regarding the ongoing situation in Baltimore. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your local BOC Representative.

COSCO:

Notice of Force Majeure Baltimore Shipments Contingency Plan

2024-03-27

Dear Valued Customer,

We hereby notify you that, based on the information currently accessible to us, the Port of Baltimore will be indefinitely closed following the collision of the 948-foot container vessel ‘DALI’ with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26th.

Based on the circumstances mentioned above, we will declare force majeure in accordance with Clause 20 of our Bill of Lading Terms and Conditions, and we wish to communicate our contingency plan regarding shipments to/from Baltimore as outlined below, until further notice:

1. For Shipments from Baltimore:

Shipments currently at the terminal will remain there till the port reopens, unless otherwise directed by the shipper.

For shipments in transit: Given the temporary suspension of export operations at the terminal, please liaise with COSCO SHIPPING North America customer service for alternative port of loading options.

We regret to inform you that no new export bookings will be accepted from Baltimore until further notice.

2. For Shipments to Baltimore:

Shipments currently in transit will be redirected to an alternate port, where they will be made available for pick-up, and COSCO SHIPPING’s bill of lading will be concluded.

For booked cargoes not yet loaded at the origin, please coordinate with the origin booking party.

We extend our sincere appreciation for your ongoing trust and support during this challenging time. Should you have any questions or require additional assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local sales representatives.

Warm regards,

COSCO SHIPPING Lines

Maersk:

Cargo to and from Port of Baltimore: TA2, TA5, TP12, Amex, AGAS

26 March 2024

In the early hours of 26 March 2024, a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge, resulting in damage to the structure. Information on the situation remains pending and we remain in close contact with officials in the area.

We can confirm that the container vessel “DALI”,  is owned by Grace Ocean, and operated by Synergy Group. It is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel.

Due to the damage to the bridge and resulting debris, it will not be possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley port of Baltimore for the time being. In line with this, we are omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area.

For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. From these ports, it will be possible to utilise landside transportation to reach final destination instead. Your local Maersk representative can assist in booking this.

Please note that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports. We are keeping a close eye on the safety situation in the area and continuing to assess the viability of transportation through the area. We will inform you of any changes that may impact your cargo.

We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation. We understand the potential impact this may have on your logistics operation, and will communicate to our customers once we have more details from authorities. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

For more information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative.

Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

Disaster in Baltimore: Containership Dali collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge

www.marinetraffic.com

At approximately 1:37 AM today March 26th, 2024 the containership Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The collision caused the bridge to collapse leaving several people missing. Search and rescue operations resumed this morning. The collapse has shut down all operations in and out of the Port of Baltimore.

The containership Dali was departing the Port of Baltimore when the collision occurred. The vessel was part of Maersk’s TP12 service and was departing Baltimore and was sailing for Colombo Sri Lanka. Additional information regarding the collision can be found on the “What is Going on With Shipping” YouTube channel. Follow the link below for the latest information.

https://youtu.be/qZbUXewlQDk?si=Z-Y1L_MIJORsZ0tP

BOC will continue to monitor the situation and will provide additional details once they become available. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local BOC representative.

Ocean Carrier Diversions: Suez & Panama

YML/CMA/Hapag/HMM/Maersk/MSC/ONE/Evergreen: Vessels currently or potentially sailing through high-risk maritime area, will initiate an immediate diversion around the Cape of Good Hope, or vessels will hold and wait in a safe location.

Not only are eastbound vessels to the United States impacted, but westbound vessels back to Asia have been temporary re-routed. These changes in routing will cause schedules to extend out 4-6 weeks. Space throughout the end of this year and into January will remain tight. BOC suggests that our clients place bookings as far in advance as possible or provide a forecast as far out as possible. Compounding this space crunch is the coming Chinese New Year (February 10^th, 2024) shipping surge as most factories will shut down by February 5^th.

www.MarineTraffic.com (12/19/23)

Below are the latest carrier announcements regarding their plans to handle the ongoing shipping crisis. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your local BOC representative.

Yang Ming

CMA-CGM

HAPAG-LLOYD

Hyundai Merchant Marine

MAERSK

MSC

ONE

EVERGREEN

Importers Could Face Higher Tariffs Jan. 1

December 11, 2023 // Advisories

Importers of numerous goods from China could face higher tariffs starting Jan. 1, 2024, if hundreds of Section 301 tariff exclusions expire as scheduled Dec. 31. These include more than 300 exclusions of various products (click here for full list) as well as exclusions for 77 medical care products needed to address the COVID-pandemic. These exclusions are currently available for any product that meets the specified HTSUS numbers and product descriptions, regardless of whether the importer filed an exclusion request.

Any reimposed tariffs would join those that remain in effect on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of imports from China, which are expected to remain in effect regardless of the results of a review of those tariffs the Biden administration expects to conclude by the end of this year. However, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has said some changes are possible, including removals and/or additions, as well as a new exclusion process.

In the meantime, efforts to ameliorate the impact of the China Section 301 tariffs are continuing.

– ST&R is advocating for the renewal of all previously approved exclusions and the creation of a process allowing for new exclusion requests (for more information, please contact strdc@strtrade.com).

– There are a number of proven and legitimate ways to effectively avoid the tariffs or limit their impact (click here for more information).

Suez Canal Attacks & Updated Trans Pacific Sailing Schedules

Viewpoint: What Red Sea attacks mean for shipping

Weekend assault on commercial vessels could have impact on global trade.

Lori Ann LaRocco. Monday, December 04, 2023 – FreightWaves.com

The guided missile destroyers USS Carney, left, and USS Ramage sail together in the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Oct. 16. (Photo: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau/U.S. Navy)

Geopolitical tensions and attacks in the Red Sea have increased since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Iran-backed Houthi rebels have focused their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on any merchant shipping that they believe is affiliated with Israel. Following this weekend’s four attacks on three civilian ships near Yemen, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Carney responded, thrusting the security of trade into the spotlight.

The Red Sea is the superhighway to the Suez Canal. Judah Levine, Freightos’ head of research, said the Suez Canal sees 50-60 vessels transiting each day for about 19,000 each year, including about 30% of global container traffic.

The Suez has seen an increase in U.S. energy and grain exports as well as U.S. eastbound container imports as the Panama Canal drought restrictions are constricting the flow of trade.

The biggest source of worry is the timeliness of the Houthis vessel data. A Houthi military spokesperson confirmed it targeted a container ship with a drone and another bulk grain vessel because it claimed both vessels were linked to Israel. One, however, was not. Houthis reportedly had outdated information, according to maritime security firm Ambrey.

According to the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), the bulk vessel — Number 9 — that was attacked Sunday is owned by U.K.-based Castle Harbour and operated by U.K.-based Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) and not connected to Israel. The operator appeared to change from Zim in November 2021, according to Ambrey. MarineTraffic shows the vessel left Singapore on Nov. 22 and was slated to go through the Suez Canal this Wednesday.

Ambrey has advised company security officers to assess whether their vessels were owned or managed by an Israel-affiliated company within the last year. But the Israel connection seems to go to the individual level.

Centcom reported that another one of the four vessels attacked was the Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer. While owned and operated in the U.K., the Israel connection is among its management. Unity Maritime is controlled by Danny Ungar, the son of Israeli shipping businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar. In November, Ungar’s shipping company, Ray Car Carriers, had its 5,100-unit car carrier Galaxy Leader hijacked by the Houthis.

Unity Explorer is a dry bulk ship that was loaded with grain from the U.S. Cargill grain elevator and transported from the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel left Nov. 2 bound for Singapore and traveled through the Suez Canal approximately six days ago, according to MarineTraffic.

In a statement following the attacks, Centcom said, “These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.”

But given the misidentification by Houthis of the Number 9, should any ocean carrier that was once linked to Israel consider itself a target because the militants may be working with old information? Does this also mean we could be looking at a war risk premium for vessels traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden if we see more of these attacks?

What this means for trade

War stokes inflation and these attacks can only add to the threat of more war risk premiums. There is currently a war risk premium for vessels going to Israel. In light of the latest attacks and the misidentification of a vessel by Houthis, we may see the war risk premium expanded throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This will only add to the inflationary pressures of using this trade route.

The Suez Canal Authority recently announced an increase of 5%-15% in transit fees, taking advantage of the increase in vessel traffic as more ocean carriers avoid the Panama Canal.

“As we saw in the Black Sea, continued attacks on maritime vessels may lead insurance companies to initiate a ‘war risk’ premium for vessels transiting the Red Sea and the shipping lanes south of Yemen,” said Alan Baer, CEO of OL USA. “If initiated, carriers may have no choice but to pass this additional cost onto exporters and importers the world over.”

When it comes to trade, it has to flow regardless of the situation. Operators will have vessels change course for safety.

Levine said there have been a handful of examples of Israeli-owned vessels diverting from passage through the Suez Canal and instead sailing around Africa’s west coast and Cape of Good Hope.

“This includes two car carriers, two container vessels operated by Danish carrier Maersk and at least one container vessel by Israel’s Zim Lines,” he explained. “For ships heading to Israel from Asia, the route around Africa is significantly longer — about 7,000 nautical miles and 10-14 days — than via the Suez Canal. This route also incurs higher fuel costs but avoids Suez Canal fees, which are between $400,000-$700,000 per transit and are set to increase by 15% in January 2024.”

Freightos data shows rates from some Chinese origins to Israel have climbed between 16% and 36%.

“This is suggesting that the war is leading to higher costs for carriers and higher prices for their customers,” Levine said.

To mitigate risks, some Israeli ports are closed because of missiles being launched in the area. For those carriers that cannot find war risk insurance, the Israeli government is offering supplemental insurance. This is nothing new, Israel has offered it for years. The Ukrainian government has also offered war risk insurance for vessels that may not be able to secure the extra coverage.

Levine said Zim is alone among the carriers in introducing a war risk insurance premium of between $20 and $100 per container since the start of the war.

ZIM ZXB: add 2 sailing changes rotation from Panama to Cape of Good Hope (or Suez)

Ocean Alliance: add 2 sailing via Suez, ETA is 3-5 days later, not too bad

The Alliance: all Dec vessel changes to Suez routing

Panama Canal Turns From Trade Catalyst to Chokepoint

By Ruth Liao. December 5, 2023 at 7:00 AM EST

For more than a century, the Panama Canal has been a catalyst for consumer goods and raw materials flowing between the Americas, Asia and beyond. Thanks to climate change, it’s now a chokepoint.

A drought is reducing water levels in a nearby lake used to manage the depths for cargo ships passing through its locks. That’s led to tonnage restrictions and fewer vessels transiting the shortcut each day, causing delays. Those unwilling to wait have two options: pay hefty fees to jump the queue, or sail a much greater distance around South America, Africa or through the Suez Canal.

Panama Canal Jam Spurs Alternate Ship Routes

Shippers face higher costs with either increased voyages or surging canal fees.

Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s No. 5 container carrier, recently started a “live ticker” showing the rerouting of its ships.

Such choices add costs, creating headwinds for central bankers around the world who are struggling to tame inflation.

According to the IMF’s PortWatch congestion monitor, the number of daily transits through the canal has declined by about one-third since Aug. 1 to 22 vessels. That’s expected to go down even more in coming months, reaching 18 daily crossings by Feb. 1, according to Clarksons Research.

Falling Water Means Fewer Panama Canal Transits

Daily ship crossings have declined by about one-third since Oct. 1

The snarl will only worsen in the coming months as Panama enters its annual dry season, which typically begins in December and lasts until April or May.

“Transit restrictions appear likely to remain in place for some time to come, with the rainy season in Panama falling from May to December, and the months with the greatest average rainfall being October and November,” according to a Dec. 1 research note from Clarksons. “Restrictions may not be significantly eased until the second half of 2024 or later.”

Further Restrictions in Panama Canal Announced

During Q2 2023, the Panama Canal Authority announced it would reduce draft from 14.94 meters to 13.41 meters. Despite several measures to conserve water taken over the previous months, lack of precipitation in the area is affecting the water level of the Panama Canal. Consequently, the Panama Canal Authority has recently confirmed further restrictions regarding the number of vessels crossing the canal. Many steamship lines have also announced delays, restrictions and surcharges.

MarineTraffic.com 11/29/23

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

CMA CGM informs its customers that the Panama Canal continues to suffer from severe drought, consequently, the Panama Canal Authority has recently announced further restrictions.

During Q2 2023, and despite several water conservation measures, the canal draft was reduced from 14.94 to 13.41m.

The lack of precipitation over the summer months has forced the Panama Canal Authorities to reduce the number of vessels transiting per day. As a consequence, by January 1st 2024, the booking windows for transiting the Neopanamax locks will be reduced by -30%.

These restrictions combined with an increase in the Canal Tariff implemented earlier in the year, are taking a severe toll on CMA CGM’s operations.

PANAMA CANAL SURCHARGE

MSC CUSTOMER ADVISORY

Geneva, Switzerland, 23 November 2023

Dear Customers,

During Q2 2023, the Panama Canal Authority decided to reduce draft from 14.94 to 13.41. Despite several measures to conserve water taken over the last months, lack of precipitation in the area is affecting the water level of the Panama Canal. Consequently, the Panama Canal Authority has recently confirmed further restrictions regarding the number of vessels crossing the canal.

These restrictions, combined with the increase of the Canal Tariff implemented earlier this year, are having a direct impact on overall MSC operations costs.

Transpacific Eastbound: Panama Canal Adjustment Factor

23^rd November 2023

Dear ZIM Customer,

The Panama Canal Authority has recently announced further restrictions on vessels crossing the canal, following the historically low water level in Panama.

The number of vessels passage the Neopanamax locks will be further reduced, combined with an increase of the Canal Tariff implemented earlier this year, increased our operation cost substantially. To recover the extra expenses on Asia to US East coast and US Gulf services crossing the Panama Canal, Zim will implement a new Panama Canal Adjustment Factor (PCA), starting December 15, 2023.

Here’s an update on the Panama Canal situation

In the face of the most severe drought the Panama Canal has experienced in half a century, we are working towards adjusting our operational outlook to support your cargo planning. The drought has had a serious impact on container ships by posing draft limits whereby space and weight allocations are challenged. In addition, the daily vessel transit has been capped to a specific number of vessels per day, presenting additional challenges to transit the Panama Canal on time.

Despite our preparations, the canal’s restrictions present uncertainties, and therefore, we are constantly evaluating the operational situation, including regular discussions with the authorities to obtain the latest information. In view of this situation, our teams are engaged in taking all the necessary measures to continue supporting your supply chain requirements.

ZIM Re-Routes Ships to Avoid Yemeni Coast

Mike Schuler, gcaptain.com

Israeli shipping line ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE: ZIM) says it will re-route vessels to avoid the Arabian and Red Seas amid threats to Israeli-linked ships in the region by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group.

The announcement comes after at least three ships have been targeted in the past week or so.

The company issued a statement Monday reiterating its continued commitment to serving the East Mediterranean and Israeli ports amid Israel’s war with Hamas.

“Operations to and from these ports will be maintained with the highest regard for safety protocols which are essential to safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders,” the company said.

However, the company said that in light of the threats, it is taking “temporary proactive measures” to ensure the safety of its crews, vessels, and customers’ cargo by re-routing some of its vessels, which will result in longer transit times.

“ZIM is closely monitoring the situation to address potential risks and ensure the ongoing safety and efficiency of its operations,” the statement said.

The announcement comes after a series of attacks on internationally-trading ships linked to Israeli businesses after Houthi’s leader threatened further attacks on Israel and Israeli ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

“Our eyes are open to constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, especially in Bab al-Mandab, and near Yemeni regional waters,” Abdulmalik al-Houthi said in a broadcasted speech on November 14. 

On November 19, the Galaxy Leader car carrier was hijacked by the Houthis and taken to Yemen’s Hodeidah port area along with its 25 crew members. The ship is still being held. Over the weekend, the chemical tanker Central Park was boarded by armed assailants in the Gulf of Aden, prompting a response from the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mason. Five individuals now described as being of Somali nationality were captured in the incident, raising questions about the origin of the assailants. Following the rescue, two ballistic missiles were fired towards the Mason and Central Park, but the missiles landed in the water about 10 miles from the vessels.

In addition, on November 24 the Maltese-flagged M/V CMA CGM SYMI was reportedly attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Indian Ocean, but did not sustain serious damage.

All three ships have links to Israel.

At least one ZIM ship, the MV ZIM Europe has been identified as re-rerouting down the west coast of Africa, presumably around the Cape of Good Hope, during a voyage from the U.S. East Coast to Port Klang, Malaysia.

Since Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack on Israel, U.S. Navy destroyers have shot down missiles and drones launched from Yemen on at least two other occasions.

ZXB – Vessel Diversion – Zim Savanah Voyage 20E – Updated

28^th November 2023

Dear ZIM Customer,

Due to the ongoing restrictions in the Panama Canal and subsequent heavy delays, and in light of the threat to the safe transit of global trade in the Arabian and Red Seas, we wish to inform you that we have decided to divert the ZXB ZIM Savannah 20/E Voyage to sail via the Cape of Good Hope.

ZIM is taking temporary measures to ensure the safety of its crews, vessels, and customers’ cargo by rerouting some of its vessels. We make every effort to minimize disruptions and closely monitor the situation to ensure the ongoing safety and efficiency of operations.

Below is her tentative schedule for your reference:

• All cargo bound for Mexico will be discharged in Shanghai to connect alternative service.

A separate notification will be sent to cargo owners for further connection details.

We thank you for your understanding on this matter.

Our customer service team and sales representatives are at your disposal for any inquiries.