Alan Peat LAST MINUTE late arrivals of containers at the stacks - many after stack closing - is “much too common”, according to Flemming Dalgaard, MD of Maersk Sealand. There are a number of reasons, he added, but the whole problem is exacerbated by the SA urge to double-book cargoes - a fail-safe measure in the face of port congestion. He also attributes it to poor planning and forecasting from exporters. Barry New, MD of P&O Nedlloyd, also described it as a common problem, but not just in SA. “People are always trying to get last minute cargoes on as quickly as possible,” he said. However, it’s a problem of a cyclical nature in SA. “At certain times of the year, for example the perishable season, this occurs very often. “I know for a fact that most exporters will try to get last minute cargoes away when they can.” But the problem of late arrivals for the lines is now heightened by the US security legislation - which demands that US-bound cargoes on the ship’s manifest be declared to US customs 24-hours before a ship is loaded. “This is a further impact as far as the US trade is concerned,” said New. “Because of the pre-declaration, stack dates will close earlier and will put more pressure on getting cargoes there on time.” Indeed, this could be an answer, according to Dalgaard. “This US security legislation is already helping to reduce the problem of late arrivals,” he said. “The lines need to do something similar.” Andrew Weiss of MOL agreed. “Yes,” he told FTW, “possibly a 24-hours pre-delivery like the US security. “It is not so much cargo coming in by road but more of an issue with cargo which is being railed to the ports.”
