Five weeks have now passed since the port workers strike in Finland came to an end, and we feel it is now time to update you on the situation in the ports, as to the overall cargo flows.
As you recall the first weeks after the strike, literally no export cargo was available to be shipped. Due to the strike, the export cargo was neither containerized nor available at the terminal, especially the large export commodities stuffed within the terminals were very limited – in particular when compared to bookings and forecasts received locally. This lead to a situation where neither the normal nor the extraordinary tonnage brought in to cope with the large backlog of import cargo, was unutilized south bound.
Now the capacity has been normalised, the backlog of import has been handled and import is back on a normal level. The trade has been balanced for a few weeks.
However, within the last few days, we must note that the situation with the stuffing’s has changed significantly. The stevedores have injected additional resources to clear the backlog wherefore the exports are now unexpectedly reaching up to the double in tonnage compared to the situation before the strike.
We do believe this abrupt development has surprised us all, as we have not received any indication nor signals from neither our customers nor stevedores. It goes without saying that within a few days going from under-utilized vessels to double the bookings of a normal “prior strike” average is an extraordinary situation.
Not withstanding that we will continue to optimise loadings best possible, and thereby trying to create as much extra capacity which the import flows will allow us to do. Such an erratic development cannot be fully compensated through our efforts. Same time, there are no firm opinions to the duration of this extraordinary situation, thereby limiting our abilities to perform investments in heavy upgrades to the capacity.
Please rest assured that we as Unifeeder will maximise our efforts in assisting best possible. At the same time asking for your understanding of the extraordinary situation, that has made it impossible for us to avoid some consequences to cargo in terms of delays and roll over’s.
Our local office in Helsinki and your commercial contacts in Aarhus are at your disposal for any further clarification needed.
