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Shippers are facing an anxious wait as the crisis in the UK haulage sector tightens its grip.
CMA CGM subsidiary ANL has announced a six-day delay on export collections due to a reduction in haulage availability, and HMM revising its policy.
ANL told customers the next available collection at major ports, including Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton, would be 17 September.
It said the reduction in haulage availability was linked to “continued issues” at Felixstowe, and rail engineering.
The delay also affects the UK ports of Immingham, Liverpool, Teesport and Tilbury, with one source noting that it was not only exports being affected.
“Clearly delays are being suffered on import collections, which apart from giving problems to the supply chain, will also increase costs linked to rent and demurrage,” the source told The Loadstar.
HMM has issued new rules on UK haulage, telling customers that, from 1 October, shippers must undertake all export collections and import deliveries at “their own risk”.
It blames UK haulage for the policy change.
The carrier said: “The UK road haulage market continues to face ongoing challenges as a result of road congestion, a general shortage of vehicle, driver and rail availability, plus increased cargo volumes.
“[This problem is] exacerbated by other external factors impacting haulage productivity such as port congestion and vessel diversions.
“Reliability and punctuality of all export collections and import deliveries has been impacted and these issues are likely to continue as many are ongoing or long-term rather than seasonal.”
Furthermore, the carrier said, it had reserved the right to be up to 90 minutes late, while still expecting any containers arriving within that period to be loaded or unloaded.
“[We will give] no consideration of extended free time or additional costs,” said the carrier. “Wasted journey costs will apply for any container arriving within this 90-minute period which is rejected for loading or unloading.”
To facilitate improved service and free up resource availability, HMM said it welcomed “any opportunities” to unload or deliver at night.
One forwarder told The Loadstar the issues surrounding haulage were leading to shippers being dealt a “double-whammy”.
“They are being hit twice, as not only are they not getting shipment, but they are also being charged for their goods being left quayside,” said the forwarder.
“And anyone who doubts there is an issue need only look at the number of new enquiries we have had, and how, predominantly, they have all been linked to haulage – this is a major issue.”
The forwarder said the problems, which started with Felixstowe’s failure to successfully migrate to its new IT system, were spreading. Many shipments destined for the UK’s largest box port have been rerouted to London Gateway and Southampton.
“You are seeing how Southampton is being more and more affected by issues because of all the rerouting that has occurred,” added the source.
“It is still possible to get containers delivered at short notice, but the hauliers are ramping up the prices, so they have the incentive.”
Comment on this article
Paul
September 11, 2018 at 9:24 pmThey mentioned driver shortage . I am a driver looking for a job .why are the rates of pay so low if anybody wants to pay sensible rates I am interested. I am based in Norwich.
Richard Smith
September 12, 2018 at 8:32 amTry Sleaford around you mate. Some firms pay £800 pw other Norwich is just like the rest of the country
George
September 12, 2018 at 3:46 amI am a driver, and the rates are disgusting. Seems everyone in every other industry is getting a pay rise, except us in the haulage industry.
I can get the same wage now, working at a supermarket, and many other places. And be home every night…
Dave
September 12, 2018 at 6:18 amI agree with Paul give us better working conditions and better pay less hours and then you may attract young people into the industry .until this is done you haven’t got a hope in hells chance of correcting things?
Richard Smith
September 12, 2018 at 8:12 amThe UK has had this coming for years! Low wages, long hours and treated worse than a dog by most transport firms and bosses!!!
Time for the boss’s to hand back the flashy cars and treat the drivers that turn out with the respect they deserve. And pay the drivers right.
All drivers have a life although it is accepted by most drivers that trucking is a way of life!
James Leaper
September 12, 2018 at 11:20 amIt’s funny. I’m a truck driver and I can’t get a job in container, for love of money
James where u based m8?
September 12, 2018 at 5:54 pmI have a vacancy m8 but its curtain siders.normaly between 9 to 12( if your unlucky)a day.
Michael Ward
September 12, 2018 at 1:21 pmHi Paul,
If you are looking for work and will consider running out of Felixstowe then please get in contact. My number is 07702000550, Mike Ward.
I look after a number of firms all looking for drivers at the moment. Wages are competitive but we can discuss further if you call.
Kind Regards,
Mike
Murray Brady
September 12, 2018 at 1:25 pmWell it’s about time that people started to realise how important the haulage contractor is in this supply chain maybe the recipient should start unloading on time instead trucks parked for hours at rdc s and the likes drivers trying make deadlines on an road infrastructure that cant cope legislation that ramps up operators costs drivers stressed balls trying meet delivery schedule s in a industry that’s screwed the floor with money making legislation it’s coming back to bite them arse know
Jim
September 16, 2018 at 7:18 pmI can never understand why sites demand tips and loads mid morning 9am ~ 11am people cannot understand why jobs these times run late as they are second jobs, a driver starting early morning an operator is not going to let a driver starting 5am hang around all morning to do a job that time for obvious reasons, the amount of jobs I see run because of these times you try to explain to F/F etc.. they moan and cant understand once you explain why it failed because of bad timing second job, they demand to re-book for same time its like a lesson never learned the circle goes around, early morning or late afternoon please.
Yuki
January 29, 2019 at 7:50 amHi sir / madam,
Every month we are shipping two to four 20’ and 40’HQ containers to Felixstowe, UK.
We are seeking the haulage service from port to warehouse located in Rotherham.
Could you please send us the quotation of 20’/40’/40’HQ container haulage cost?
Thanks!