Container boom causes logjam at Nhava Sheva
Containers are being “severely” delayed at India’s largest port, following a double-digit increase in container volumes during April and May.
Maersk Line said it was factoring-in “severe congestion” because of the increased volumes at Nhava Sheva, which has three terminals, JNPCT, NSICT and GTI. The line predicted the situation could last “for some time”.
The world’s largest carrier said current yard inventory had exceeded normal limits, and as a result, there were restrictions on moving imported containers from the port to inland terminals, creating long dwell times.
There are also problems shifting boxes from common rail heads to the correct terminal, which is causing containers to miss the vessel they were booked on. A shortage of pilots is also leading to delays in berthing and un-berthing vessels.
The Danish carrier said: “Unfortunately, the congestion is causing service delays for our customers, and we are concerned that, with the monsoon and peak seasons approaching, it will be some time before the situation normalises. “We deeply regret the inconvenience the congestion is causing, and we want customers to know we are making every effort to overcome these challenges.” To try and mitigate the delays, Maersk Line has diverted all its traffic to and from northern Indian inland container depots via Pipavav to help ease the congestion and provide better transit times.
Figures recently released by the Indian Ports Association reveal that container volumes at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), which operates much of the port, increased by almost 17% year-on-year during the April-May period, to hit 751,000teu. In total, Indian ports saw container traffic increase 21% year-on-year in the two-month period.
Source: Damian Brett, IFW News, 11 June 2010