Current Shipping Conditions – August 2022
As we go to print, the Port of Felixstowe has announced its workers are going on stroke for 8 days from 21st August 2022. Felixstowe is responsible for 48% of UK container freight and the disruption has been calculated at $800 million. 17 shipping lines operate out of Felixstowe and approximately 2,000 ships a year berth there.
This action will impact UK and Continental Europe trade. In terms of UK inbound Household Goods shipments, there will be substantial delays in moving containers resulting in longer-stays in serviced accommodation, delayed tenancy starts or tenancies which cannot be occupied. Without a doubt, supply chain delays will lengthen considerably, and HR should allow more time between assignee leaving a host country and being fully established in the UK.
Shipping worldwide still remains in stormy waters and prices have not stabilised. For example, we have seen quarterly fuel reviews being applied by Shipping Lines bumping up 20’ container costs by $150 although BAR report even higher levies.
It isn’t as bad as 2021, but we aren’t moving into calmer seas any time soon.
We continue to see household goods collections and deliveries going via a warehouse. The days of stuffing or unstuffing a container at the residence have now gone and this impacts prices and vehicle availability to shunt the goods to a warehouse.
If you would like more details, read the British Association of Removers newsletter here – BAR Newsletter August 2022