Hutch's loss at clogged Felixstowe is DP World's gain at London Gateway
Time：2016-01-22
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The carrier issued an advisory notice to customers on its AE1 service last week. The Maersk Lavras is scheduled to discharge 2,251 containers (all Maersk Line cargo) at London Gateway within a 24-hour window commencing at 1am on Saturday, reported London`s Loadstar.
Mega ships arrive outside their scheduled windows at Felixstowe, resulting in a "bunch" vying for the same berths at the same time, said a Loadstar source.
Britain`s biggest container port of Felixstowe has been hit by a surge of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) that require more gangs and more cranes to service the increased cargo exchange - regularly more than 5,000 boxes per call.
This in turn exerts pressure on the landside operation in a vicious circle of reduced port productivity.
The largest containership in the world last week reported to have been held at anchor off Felixstowe unable to secure a berth for more than 24 hours, notwithstanding the importance of the world`s second largest line to the UK east coast port.
One local source confirmed this morning that the current congestion was due to the port having to handle too many big ships over a short time.
He said Felixstowe was "not coping well" and berthing delays of 48 hours or more were now quite common - especially for feeders.
In the past, when carriers have diverted Felixstowe-bound ships to London Gateway and other North European ports at the eleventh hour, it has resulted in supply chain confusion.