IVSS - Vehicle Shipping

04/10/2024

US port strike ends
We are pleased to announce that the port strike has ended.
U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports began reopening on Thursday night after dockworkers and port operators reached a wage deal to settle the work stoppage.

Whilst there a number of ships waiting to dock overall we do not expect to significant delays or problems.

We are ready to accept your vehicles for shipping!

01/10/2024

***𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞*** (please share to ensure people are aware)
As of now, there has been no progress in negotiations between the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), resulting in the commencement of a port strike. The duration of the strike remains uncertain.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬:
• All ports on the U.S. East Coast and in the Gulf region are directly affected. While West Coast ports are not immediately impacted, we anticipate increased congestion and possible delays.
• For every day of strike activity, operations could take an estimated 5 to 6 days to normalize.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬:
• We are temporarily suspending new RORO and container bookings to or from U.S. East Coast and southern ports until we fully assess the potential impacts. This decision has not been made lightly; it aims to protect the interests of our clients and our business.
• If you have not yet delivered your cargo please be aware that force majeure or surcharges could be implemented by the carrier, and there can be unexpected delays.

𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘚𝘈.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
• We anticipate delays across the board, depending on the length of the strike. The full impact will depend on whether vessels experience only delays or if carriers opt to reroute or return cargo to origin.
• The port strikes are likely to disrupt cargo and vessels in the Gulf region that are scheduled for U.S. port calls specifically for Mexico, Panama, and Colombia, with potential ripple effects on other regional ports.
• Please be aware that this is a fluid situation, and carriers are responding on a daily basis.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐚:
For shipments currently en route, delays are expected. We are awaiting guidance from specific carriers regarding their plans. Anticipated issues include:

• Delays in vessels shipping to or from the U.S. and Canada.
• Possible cancellations, changes, or amendments to schedules.
• Delays in other regions for vessels transiting through U.S. ports (e.g., Mexico, Panama, Colombia, South America).
• Congestion at ports once operations resume.
• Additional storage or other charges or force majeure could be announced.

𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
For upcoming shipments, delays and congestion are anticipated, and carriers may implement surcharges to cover costs associated with the strike. Several carriers have already announced significant surcharges for containers, and we expect others to follow suit.

If you have not yet delivered your cargo to the port, we strongly advise weighing the risks and potential costs associated with the strike. It may be prudent to postpone your shipment until the situation is resolved, and updated schedules are available.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
• Continued delays and changes to schedules.
• Carriers will likely require shippers to accept any potential additional charges before shipments commence.
• Delays in other regions for vessels that transit through U.S. ports (including Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and South America).
• Congestion at ports once services are back to normal.

𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: At this time, it remains unclear:
• The duration of the strike.
• The full extent of the impact on shipping operations.

We are committed to monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

If you have a shipment with us please do not hesitate to contact us

Kind regards, IVSS

24/09/2024

***USA Port Strike update***
Currently there has been no progress between the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) contract with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and therefore unless a last-minute deal is reached there will be a port strike.

Some ports are already preparing for the strike and have stopped accepting containers, and some partners have already stopped accepting vehicles at their depots for loading.

At present we will temporarily cease accepting container bookings from or to US East Coast and southern ports until we fully understand the potential impacts. This this is not a measure taken lightly, but to protect both the interests of our clients and our own.

***We can still accept vehicles for shipping in containers from and to the West Coast of the USA.***

Roll on roll off to the USA, the carriers we have spoken with have not yet adjusted their sailings, however if a port strike does take place sailings could be delayed, they could slow sail, or they could wait offshore for ports to reopen. - At present all shipments are proceeding as normal from European ports to the USA. ( this could change)

It is important that if you have cargo arriving in the USA, that you retrieve it from the port before any potential strike starts (01 Oct).

If you have roll on roll off cargo being shipped out of the USA, in the next couple weeks, you should plan for potential delays, and the possibility that you may not be of to deliver to the port when you wish to.

Should a strike occur, it is likely to affect both roll-on/roll-off and container operations. We anticipate the following potential impacts:
• Delays in vessels shipping to or from the U.S. and Canada.
• May be subject to cancellation, changes, or amendments
• Delays in other regions for vessels that transit through U.S. ports. (I,e Mexico, Panama, Colombia, South America)
• Congestion at ports once services resume.
• Additional storage charges may be incurred

Please be aware that if your vehicle is delivered or offloaded at a port during this period, it is likely you will incur additional storage charges. All carriers that have contacted us have indicated that these charges will be the responsibility of the cargo owner.

At this time, it is still unclear:
• Whether a strike will definitely take place.
• How long a potential strike might last.
• The full extent of the impact on shipping operations.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you updated.

Kind regards,

IVSS

19/09/2024

USA Port Strike
As widely reported in the media, the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) contract with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), covering all ports from Maine to Texas, is set to expire at the end of September. This raises the possibility of strike or industrial action beginning October 1st.

Should a strike occur, it is likely to affect both roll-on/roll-off and container operations. We anticipate the following potential impacts:
• Delays in vessels shipping to or from the U.S. and Canada.
• Delays in other regions for vessels that transit through U.S. ports. (I,e Mexico, Panama, Colombia, South America)
• Congestion at ports once services resume.

Please be aware that if your vehicle is delivered or offloaded at a port during this period, it is likely you will incur additional storage charges. All carriers that have contacted us have indicated that these charges will be the responsibility of the cargo owner.

At this time, it is still unclear:
• Whether a strike will definitely take place.
• How long a potential strike might last.
• The full extent of the impact on shipping operations.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you updated.
Kind regards,
IVSS

11/09/2024

***USA East Coast & Gulf ports strikes***
Please be advised of possible port strikes in the USA commencing from 1 October.

It is not at this point certain the port strikes will take place, however if they do this will affect both container and Roll on Roll Off shipments, and therefore you should plan accordingly.

it is quite likely that if any strikes to take place that this may have a knock-on effect the services in the same trade lanes.

"Should a general work stoppage occur on the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, even a one-week shutdown could take 4-6 weeks to recover from, with significant backlogs and delays compounding with each passing day," Maersk said.

If you currently have a booking with us, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Imports of U.S. container cargo in August jumped 12.9% from a year ago as a summer volume surge delayed cargo at major ports and anxiety builds over a threatened longshore worker strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico on Oct. 1, trade data provider Descartes Systems Group said on Tuesday.

31/08/2024

Vehicle Insurance in North America Update

A couple of weeks ago, we met with the team from Intersecure Group in the UK. Currently, vehicle insurance options in North America are still quite limited, but there's good news! Intersecure Group is actively working to cater to Overland/International travellers. They've recently increased their coverage limits and are exploring comprehensive coverage options.

Even better, they've just launched a new quote system that allows you to quickly and easily get a clear cost estimate with just a few clicks.

If you have any feedback on their products or website, please let us know. They are eager to hear your thoughts and improve their offerings.

Check out their new website and quote system here: https://intersecuregroup.com/ivss

22/04/2024

Baltimore update
Baltimore Port is expected to be open for receiving some roll on roll off vessels was the end of month

The first from Antwerp to Baltimore will be leaving on 26 April.

The first vessel departing from Baltimore to Europe will be departing on 15 May

*this is subject to the successful reopening of the channel, and there is still risk that the vehicle could be delayed.

10/04/2024

Baltimore update

Behind the scenes it's been suggested that Baltimore Port may reopen in early May (TBC only an estimate). Which is generally good news.

Whilst we expected significant disruption, we have been able to use alternative ports, in addition to alternative terminals in Baltimore, for some carriers.

The majority of cargo at present is going with ACL, between North America and Europe and therefore the following ports are being serviced.

Export: Halifax and Norfolk (New York does not accept peer fees for export at present)

Import: Halifax, New York, Norfolk

Using Norfolk as an alternative has been quite seamless, the exports procedures are slightly different and can add an additional day. But generally everything is going quite smoothly.

26/03/2024

Bridge collapse in Baltimore
Last night a bridge collapsed in Baltimore, at present what this means is that no vessels will be able to berth at the car terminals

We do not know how long this will be for, whether it's a matter of days or weeks, as this is very new news an evolving situation.

Possible alternatives for discharging & load are

Discharge - Halifax New York Norfolk
Load – Halifax Norfolk

If you have a booking with us we will be sending a email out in due course once we have more information on the impact that this will have shipments.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-68663071

25/03/2024

Please note will be be closed from the 28/03 to the 01/04, returning to work on the 02/04.

27/09/2023

overlandbirds.com On their way from Mombasa to Oman

30/07/2023

Did you know we can help you with finding a container share?
Search our database of currently available container shares!!
Check it out https://ivssuk.com/container-share/