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‘Heavy congestion’ in South-east Asia transhipment ports prompts feeder operators to levy surcharge

Vessels could be delayed at Singapore port by three days in the week to Apr 15, data from logistics platform GoComet shows

 Tay Peck Gek
Published Mon, Apr 22, 2024 · 12:57 PM
    • Yemen’s Houthi rebels began their attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea in mid-November, forcing major liners to make detour via South Africa instead.
    • Yemen’s Houthi rebels began their attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea in mid-November, forcing major liners to make detour via South Africa instead. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

    A GROUP of Asian feeder operators is imposing an emergency cost recovery surcharge to mitigate the “significant increase” in operational costs arising from “heavy congestion” at major transhipment ports in South-east Asia.

    Westports Holdings, the main Port Klang operator, said the congestion has resulted from the interruptions in the Red Sea. Shipping schedules have been thrown into disarray.

    A notice that the Asian Feeder Discussion Group (AFDG) took out on Friday (Apr 19) in The Business Times said that key ports in the region that handle the transportation of cargo moving from one vessel to another while in transit to the final destination are experiencing heavy congestion.

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