Relaxation in Europe: Update of the current loading restrictions

Supporting Africa’s logistics needs with bulk ocean freight

Before seafreight containers took over sixty years ago, break bulk was the main form of moving cargo. Roughly 90% of all goods worldwide are still shipped by sea, of which 70% is now containerised cargo. Break bulk seafreight however still makes up a significant segment of transportation and has several advantages for clients, whether by air or seafreight, says Detlev Duve, managing director of DACHSER South Africa.

Globally, logistics leader DACHSER has undertaken many complex break bulk shipments. Due to Africa’s economic reliance on the extraction of natural resources, logistics operators in Africa will often be required to facilitate the movement of large machinery and parts.

Current situation in India and the impact on DACHSER’s operations

Regarding the current situation in India, we would like to give an update about DACHSER’s operations in India. The situation as of today, April 28, 2021, is as follows:

DACHSER branches in India:

Most branch offices across India are being kept closed as a precautionary measure due to the sudden rise of COVID cases. Our teams are working from home, with only skeletal staff at the offices and hence there are likely to be delays in responses due to the ongoing crisis.

As a consequence of the lockdown, there are some operational impacts for air, sea, customs clearance and domestic trucking.

Air Freight: 

Most countries have barred passenger traffic from India leading to no passenger carrying flights operating on International routes from/to India.

• This has created some additional constraint on already stressed space availability situation.
• Rates are bound to inch upwards for all sectors.
• Transit times too have increased as a consequence of capacity crunch.

Sea Freight:

• Sea freight was already facing the challenges due to the Suez Canal blockage end of March.  Ports and terminals are functioning normally, but vessel schedules are impacted by the Suez Canal blockage as well as the sudden rise of COVID cases in India.
• Therefore delays are expected. Customers are advised to factor in delays of 1-2 weeks while planning their inventories.

Expect more delays in communication or operations due to increasing COVID infections among staff at ports, customs, CFS and shipping lines.

Customs:

We do not have any unexpected disruptions in cargo movement in India, nor is any work stoppage expected at present.

• Customs clearance activities are functional at the movement.
• Customs is working with less manpower, no Customs Brokers is allowed to meet the customs officials, all processes is done faceless and things are moving in slow phase.

At DACHSER, we have undertaken significant measures to ensure our employees’ health and safety, at the same time continue to manage our day-to-day operations with minimal impact to our customers’ supply chains. Our teams are working diligently by all possible means in these testing times to assist and to overcome the challenges being faced.

Please rest assured that we will keep you updated of any changes to the current situation. In case of questions, please feel free to contact your local DACHSER representative in the region.

Operational disruptions at the port of Hamburg cause backlogs

With this update, DACHSER would like to inform you that port operations in Hamburg are currently affected in their flow due to various factors.

With this update, DACHSER would like to inform you that port operations in Hamburg are currently affected in their flow due to various factors.

The current situation of congestion in the northern and western ports has become even more acute in Hamburg. The deployment of the explosive ordnance disposal service twice to defuse World War II bombs in construction areas and a demonstration by climate activists, which led to the temporary closure of an important access road last week, are causing disruptions in handling operations.

Please note that this is causing significant delays at all operational interfaces in the port of Hamburg area and has created a backlog that will continue for some time.

For detailed information on possible impacts on your current shipments, please contact your local DACHSER representative.

Latest update: Current loading restrictions in Europe due to Covid-19

In the following you will find the current loading restrictions that apply to Europe (see download). Food transports are excluded from this. This document here will be updated on a regular basis.