Shipping lines are skipping calls to major hubs like Colombo to maintain their service punctuality due the ongoing congestion at transhipment hubs.

According to a customer advisory by MSC Agency (India) Pvt. Ltd., shipping lines have temporarily stopped taking container bookings for US Ports due to the ongoing congestion at transshipment hubs which is also forcing shipping lines to make port omissions. 

Shipping and logistic news agency, Maritime Gateway said that this will have south asian exporters worried about their supply of goods as the supply into the market will be delayed further.

According to their report logistics costs are already 50% high and such situations will escalate the costs further. 

It is expected that the supply of India goods into the US markets will be delayed by more than 2 months, capitalising on this trend Ecuador will be able to make better inroads into the US market by supplying in 10 days. 

Main line operators have become reluctant to accept perishable cargo as they are now uncertain of connecting to the final destination in time.

Speaking to India Shipping news agency, Kerala Steamer Agents Association President K.S. Binu said that Colombo Port is experiencing monsoon-related slow operations and delay in berthing and there is a huge backlog of transshipments. 

“This is affecting inbound cargo shipments to Indian ports. No respite is expected in the coming 3-4 months as the situation is getting worse in almost all parts of the world,” he added.