Empty Park Congestion Update
May / June 2022
As we draw near the mid-year mark, we continue to see issues with capacity at Empty Parks across the network, with no end in sight.
Linked below, you will see what wharf carriers are subject to on a daily basis for a task that now requires more administration manpower than that of a collection of a container from the wharf. Redirections, no capacity available, no slots available…the issues continue to grow.
Transport suppliers are going to the extent of staff logging on during the middle of the night an attempt to gain whatever empty park slots they can from various parks, yet as per the example below from 1.48am, the cupboard is bare when it comes to empty parks.
Some suppliers currently have over 100 empty containers in the yard, half of which are Medlog with no slots available, which gives them no chance to clear the depot and increase the throughput and turn-around times which, in turn, is why wharf carriers are experiencing delays.
Wharf transport carriers are now being used as a dumping ground for shipping lines who leave the clock ticking on unjustifiable container demurrage and transport suppliers cannot be held accountable for any container demurrage.
This leaves suppliers with no option but to start covering costs and charge lifts when there are no slots available. Most suppliers have held off on this measure since late last year as this became an issue, however since there is no sign of any relief, the cost needs to be recovered.
It is unfortunate that the issues that are being experienced is resulting in additional costs, all of which have been passed through the final customer, the importer / exporter.
There is continued advocacy from industry bodies and freight forwarders alike to create regulation and accountability for the international shipping lines which you can read more about here.