News / Bad weather adds to political turmoil and cargo chaos at East African ports

Credit Tanzania Port Authority.

‘Terrible’ weather in Mozambique is compounding an already difficult situation for supply chain operators in East Africa, as the region grapples with political turmoil in Tanzania and severe congestion in Kenya.

CMA CGM yesterday announced a port congestion surcharge (PCS) of $200 per teu on all shipments to Beira in Mozambique to take effect on 15 November, with the exception of US and Latin America shipments, on which it would apply on 3 December.

The French carrier blamed the “present situation” at the port, giving no further detail, but a forwarding source in the region told The Loadstar the PCS was in response to delays of more than two weeks brought about by “terrible weather”.

Another source told The Loadstar that, while the issues in Mozambique were not sufficient to alone impact regional supply chain flows by any great measure, they came on top of a series of problems that had yet to show any sign of abatement.

Mixed messages are being given in Tanzania regarding a curfew and suspension of public services, imposed after the controversial re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan last week prompted civil unrest across the country, resulting in the shuttering of Dar es Salaam port.

Despite Ms Hassan calling for public services to resume yesterday, reports are circulating that the curfew remains in place, further to which there are fuel shortages.

Marine Traffic data indicated 34 vessels at the port, up from 16 yesterday, with a further 29 calls expected this week – a source told The Loadstar yesterday’s numbers were already “a lot for the size of the port”.

Of the ships due into Dar es Salaam over the next few days, eeSea indicated that nine were container vessels, but that number is set to jump to 29 box ships trying to call at the shuttered port between now and 9 November.

Sources in East Africa confirmed to The Loadstar yesterday that Dar es Salaam port had been rejecting vessel calls since Friday, with ships being rerouted to Kenya’s port of Mombasa, compounding already existing congestion there.

Agayo Ogambi, CEO of the Shippers Council of East Africa, said Mombasa had already been contending with an excess of vessels calling at the port, and the closure of neighbouring Dar es Salaam would only compound issues.

“Shippers are already reviewing their schedules, and we expect to see delays and congestion in Mombasa. I ask traders to follow closely communications from their shipping lines,” Mr Ogambi added, noting expectations of an increase in cargo at competing ports.