1122 words 4 minute read – Let’s do this!
Sometimes I know I repeat myself a lot, I am pretty self aware, but sometimes I just can’t help it. 3 years later, I am still at a loss for words how so many companies still allow terrible customer service to still be a thing. Especially with how you are simply not allowed to talk to a real person. Your package is lost, or a big-ticket item is broken? – no worries, a recording will let you know it’s being worked on and someone will be with you momentarily… momentarily as in 296 minutes later. Let’s be honest, these days how many times do you actually get to speak to a real live human being on the phone that can actually help you? – and by help I mean immediately, not putting you on hold, transferring you to another department more than once. We spend a lot of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears investing in constantly working on our customer service capabilities. Being present, open and honest with our customers is just as important to us as when we are the customer in a situation. We love what we do and we want to always share our stories and knowledge with everyone and encourage everyone to reach out. We take a lot of pride in growing into subject matter experts, but we are also real people who love people – so whether you need some guidance on a shipment or just want to say hi, Port X Logistics is your company, welcome to the family. I know A.I. is the wave of the future, but we still need real people, real bad and we’re going to hang on to that approach for as long as “humanly” possible. PXL makes service our #1 priority and working with us is like being in paradise…we make it easy for you…like a day at the beach… with a cheeseburger. See what I did there. RIP Jimmy Buffet!
Now on to the nitty gritty of a rather uneventful week in the market …
Golden Week will be kicking off Q4, but with ocean rates falling during these first two weeks of September and ocean carriers increasing blank sailings again for October after easing back on blank sailings for September in anticipation of better demand – it appears Golden Week won’t be as shiny and bright for the U.S. as it pertains to incoming China imports. Sea-Intelligence data shows that ocean carriers plan to blank 370,668 TEUs of capacity for October, about 14% of trans-Pacific capacity. That compares with 200,433 TEUs of cuts in September. Shortly after new spot rates were issued at the beginning of September, he said ocean carriers started dropping rates anywhere from $200 to $500 per FEU, which indicated vessel utilization was low.
Some pretty amazing weekly news: Import TEU volumes are up 26.94% this week from last week. Those vessels better have been loaded with all sorts of holiday goodies, we need some fun and happiness this Q4! Now the ugly news. Look I don’t purposely try to find the negative stuff, but it is what it is, I am just reporting the important market stuff. Lower-than-expected reductions in retail inventory coupled with a more clear-cut forecasting, ordering and replenishment mean less containerized imports and domestic intermodal and truck shipments, which also means the lifeless freight market isn’t going to be brought back to life any time soon. U.S. retailers are running down overloaded inventories, but that doesn’t exactly mean we should have high hopes for the shipping market in the remainder of 2023. Rather than rushing to replenish inventories, retailers appear focused on having the right amount of inventory on hand. Man I must have a knack for picking the only popular items that sell out quickly or maybe I am a shopaholic because I feel the “sold out” burn every single time I shop. I know the numbers don’t lie, but apparently I must have terrible luck with finding “in stock” items. Patience is a virtue I suppose. I have been in this industry for many years and the patterns repeat. Let’s all just believe that 2024 will be a year of great economic growth.
What’s happening at the ports and rails?:
You can find all the information on the below link where we cover port congestion, chassis issues and capacity lead times weekly at all U.S. and Canada Ports and rail heads
Weekly Port & Rail Updates
Houston: Bayport terminal experiencing congestion with average wait time is around 2 hours. MSC runs out of chassis and empties daily. Even through the congestion we have drayage capacity! We are also equipped in Houston with a full-service warehouse that can tackle heavy projects and quick turnaround for hot freight. Our team is on standby! letsgetrolling@portxlogistics.com
Vessels currently in Port: 368 Expected Arrivals: 146
Savannah: Even with the passing tropical storms, the Southeast Ports are running efficiently with no issues. The Port X Logistics Atlantic Division has Drayage capacity and drivers ready to roll! We have immediate capacity available for all your import and export containers in Savannah, Charleston and Jacksonville. We offer competitive rates and proactive updates from overseas to final delivery. We also have a Savannah transload warehouse with 24/7 operations for all your hot transloads. We can pull off same day drayage, transload and outbound loading and all our drivers will be on our shareable tracking app helping to provide ease and peace of mind for you and your customers. Contact our Port X Logistics Atlantic Division team members Tyler, Kyle, and Tristan at SAV@portxlogistics.com
Vessels currently in Port Savannah: 47 Expected Arrivals: 31
Vessels currently in Port Charleston: 127 Expected Arrivals: 19
Vessels currently in Port Jacksonville: 69 Expected Arrivals: 12
Cincinnati: Norfolk Southern has increased congestion due to labor shortages and increase in container arrivals. Average wait time 2+ hours and drivers lined up on the streets.
Did you know? Ryan and I will be repping Port X Logistics at Breakbulk Americas 2023 in Houston, September 26-28. Port X Logistics wants to assist you with your project cargo! Whether it’s out of gauge flat racks, open tops or oversized heavy haul and breakbulk, we can handle it at all Ports in the U.S. and Canada. Let us help you formulate a plan from start to finish, even including arranging a team on site to load and unload. Contact letsgetrolling@portxlogistics.com to experience why we are the best!
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