Customer Advisory 2023 Archives
Discover our 2023 customer advisories
The recent security incidents that have taken place around the Bab al-Mandab strait have led most ocean container carriers to reroute their ships away from the traditional Suez Canal route towards the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope. Vessels going to Cape of Good Hope will face delays back to Asia, creating lost voyages ahead of Chinese New Year. This new route will lead to extended transit time and tighter capacity and may lead to port congestion and equipment shortages. The lead time for Westbound and Eastbound voyages is affected by an average of 10 to 20 days. Additionally, berthing windows in Europe need to be reshuffled at the time of seasonal Holidays, and we expect congestion at European ports as well as containers to be discharged with delay.
Extra operational surcharges are applied to all cargo bound for the Middle East and/ or initially planned to be routed via Suez with immediate effects, including the cargo en route. Most carriers have started publishing additional surcharges to cater for the extra costs, applicable as of January 1st, 2024, on the Asia-Europe-Asia trade. Additionally, spot rates are forecasted to increase drastically while, on the other hand, the Bunker Fuel surcharge is stable as of today.
Please find below the list of affected ships which were planned to sail via Suez and have now been diverted:
Vessel | IMO | Vessel | IMO |
AL JMELIYAH | 9732357 | MSC ERICA | 9755191 |
AL MURABBA | 9708837 | MSC ISABELLA | 9839272 |
APL LE HAVRE | 9461881 | MSC KAYLEY | 9927299 |
APL RAFFLES | 9631979 | MSC TESSA | 9930038 |
APL SENTOSA | 9632040 | MSC VIRGINIA | 9908059 |
APL SOUTHAMPTON | 9462017 | MSC YUVIKA V | 9141285 |
CAP SAN JUAN | 9717204 | MURCIA MAERSK | 9780457 |
CMA CGM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN | 9706891 | NAVIOS DEVOTION | 9352420 |
CMA CGM CHILE | 9839935 | NAVIOS SUMMER | 9308003 |
CMA CGM ELBE | 9674529 | NYK VEGA | 9312781 |
CMA CGM MUSSET | 9406611 | ONE CRANE | 9741401 |
CMA CGM TROCADERO | 9839167 | ONE HUMBER | 9302140 |
CMA CGM URAL | 9705079 | ONE INFINITY | 9933004 |
CMA CGM ZHENG HE | 9706906 | ONE INNOVATION | 9939137 |
CONTI CORTESIA | 9293753 | ONE TRIBUTE | 9769295 |
COSCO SHIPPING CAPRICORN | 9783514 | ONE TRUTH | 9773210 |
COSCO SHIPPING ROSE | 9785809 | OOCL GDYNIA | 9908102 |
EA CHARA | 9967483 | OOCL KOREA | 9627992 |
EVER ACME | 9943267 | RDO CONCORD | 9401283 |
GJERTRUD MAERSK | 9320233 | SOFIA EXPRESS | 9450404 |
HMM COPENHAGEN | 9863302 | TEXAS TRIUMPH | 9737503 |
HMM LE HAVRE | 9868314 | THALASSA AVRA | 9665633 |
MAERSK HUACHO | 9848948 | WAN HAI 613 | 9224520 |
MAERSK TANJONG | 9332511 | WIKING | 9708382 |
MARIBO MAERSK | 9619969 | YM WITNESS | 9704609 |
MARY MAERSK | 9619921 | YM WITNESS | 9769295 |
MONACO MAERSK | 9778832 |
IRIS (GEODIS’ Freight Forwarding Visibility Solution) has been updated with all known amended estimated times of arrival, and we are in the process of making visible the required deviation codes to enable our customers to identify delayed shipments.
In view of the uncertainty, we highly recommend you plan your supply chain activities around extended transit time for upcoming orders to and from Asia Pacific.
We closely monitor the situation while we continue to serve and provide you with regular updates. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative.
Attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea are now a daily occurrence. One month after the capture of the carrier "Galaxy Leader", there have recently been several attempted and sometimes successful attacks with drones and anti-ship missiles on various types of ships. On Tuesday, the Norwegian tanker "Strinda" was hit; on Wednesday and Thursday, missiles only narrowly missed the product tanker "Ardmore Encounter" and the "Maersk Gibraltar". On Friday, the 15,000 TEU container ship "Al Jasrah" from Hapag-Lloyd was hit. However, it was apparently able to continue its journey.
The attacks are having an effect: The container shipping companies Hapag-Lloyd, CMA-CGM, Maersk and MSC have now decided not to sail the route via the Suez Canal until further notice. Until the Red Sea can be safely sailed, ships will have to take the alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope.
Ten percent of goods traded worldwide pass through the Suez Canal between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. There are around 50 ship passages every day. And the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb at the other end of the Red Sea at the crossing into the Gulf of Aden, where the recent attacks were recorded, is reportedly used by 1,500 ships per month.
The new sea route via the Cape of Good Hope will impact transit times, departure density, schedule reliability, and available container capacities. Prices are bound to be affected by the longer route, and new surcharges are to be expected.
Please expect longer transit times, vessel delays, and possible handling obstacles due to port congestion.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed with regular updates. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative.
Israeli sea ports
- Ashdod port remains opened but on emergency mode and with an advanced approval imposed by the port authorities on IMO cargo on both import & export directions.
Some of the vessels, originally scheduled to Ashdod port, are diverted to the Northern port of Haifa and containers unloaded there due to security and safety concerns:
1. Evergreen line has declared force majeure on Israel shipments and rerouted all cargoes to Haifa where their responsibilities as carrier are considered to be terminated.
2. Hapag Lloyd no longer accept bookings for DG cargo to and from Ashdod, other cargoes to Ashdod remain being accepted.
3. ZIM continues to accept bookings to and from Israel with a new “war risk” premium charge that applies to new bookings and on-water cargo. This War Risk premium is ranged from $50 to $120 per 20-foot equivalent TEU.
- This situation has generated also significant delay at the ports of Ashdod and Haifa, causing increased congestion and generating a significant backlog of ships and cargoes while most terminals are fully operational in and around the country.
- Ashkelon port (Oil port & terminal located in the South) which is the closest terminal to Gaza enclave has been closed.
Airline services
- Foreign (non-Israeli) airlines are still reducing and cancelling their flight schedule to Israel.
- American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Finland’s Finnair, Dutch carrier KLM, Germany’s Lufthansa, Norwegian Air, Portugal’s TAP, Polish carrier LOT, Ryanair and United Airlines are among those suspending or reducing flight to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport.
- Israeli airlines are still operating as usual and are even increasing their flights to certain destinations.
General Operations
Our partner, located in Tel-Aviv is mainly working remote for the safety of its staff. They are linked by EDI to Customs authorities, Airlines, Shipping lines, and Port authorities which facilitates their prompt and efficient execution of services.
For the time being, the continuity Plan in place is working properly through daily communication, predominantly via emails provided we experience no additional situations further disrupting trade at Israel ports or airports. Israel’s air cargo and marine gateways for trade are operating under signs of strains. Among the issues, Israeli ports are dealing with extra security checks and labor shortage which increase waiting time to get the cargo. Our visibility platform (IRIS) is updated on daily basis.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed with regular updates. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative.
Activity at Israel's ports is slowing after Saturday's attacks.
- Israel's southern coastal city of Ashkelon is not allowing ships to enter while the main Israeli ports of Ashdod further up the coast and Haifa in the north, remain open.
Ashdod port said workers continued to work regularly despite the emergency situation. The port's berths are open as much as needed and they are offering a response to meet all Israel's needs, Ashdod port had imposed restrictions on the loading or discharging of dangerous cargo, which includes flammable, explosive or toxic substances.
As regards to airfreight, the Israeli airlines are operating as usual.
- El Al Cargo is in the process of beginning freighter operations.
- The Israel Airports Authority, which operates Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, said that the airport is working as planned including departures and landings.
- However, a number of airlines worldwide have cancelled or delayed flights in response to the situation, and cargo carriers have warned of potential disruption to shipments.
- All shipments destined to Israel that are currently transiting will be safely held in facilities. Delivery of shipments already in Israel will be performed where safe and possible.
- Air France, KLM have postponed all flights to/from TLV until further notice. This also means that TLV will be closed for all cargo operations with immediate effect and until 16 October 2023.
- Lufthansa has decided to suspend its regular flights to and from Tel Aviv up to including 22 October
- Other airlines have also cancelled flights including Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic. Tel -Aviv Airport remains open and operational.
We closely monitor the situation while we continue to serve and provide you with regular updates. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative.
Recently, the GEODIS Group has received reports of individuals stealing GEODIS' corporate name and logo as well as forging GEODIS’ official seal for pursuing illegal activities on social media platforms and websites.
GEODIS’ strict business ethics and compliance policy strongly condemns illegal activities: Fraudsters do not act on behalf of GEODIS.
Therefore, the above-mentioned illegal behaviours seriously infringe on the rights and interests of GEODIS and harm the reputation and image of GEODIS.
GEODIS has reported these acts to the local Chinese police station.
GEODIS declares solemnly:
Any act of impersonating the name of GEODIS is illegal.
- Without written authorization from GEODIS, any organization or individual is prohibited from using the information belonging to GEODIS for any business activities.
GEODIS strictly complies with local and international laws and its internal policies. Therefore no one has the right to engage in any form of business in the name of GEODIS and its Affiliates.
It is also illegal to pretend to be an employee of GEODIS, and to carry business activities through fake websites or false registrations on social media accounts.
The only official website of GEODIS in China is https://geodis.com/cn/
The official WeChat service account is GEODIS 乔达
- GEODIS and its Affiliates will not bear any responsibility for the Fraudsters’ acts. GEODIS will fully cooperate with the local authorities to ensure the Fraudsters are identified and sanctioned. If you or one of your stakeholders encounter fraudulent activities, please report them to local Chinese police station.
The Southern Coast areas in China and Hong Kong have been impacted by a heavy rainstorm leading to widespread floods. As advised by authorities, most public transportations and facilities have been suspended and offices in the affected areas will be temporarily closed until further notice.
We will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. Should you have any questions regarding your shipments, please do not hesitate to contact your local GEODIS representative.
With the latest updates from the observatory, SUPER TYPHOON SAOLA will be hitting the Southern Coast areas in China and closest to the city on Friday and Saturday. Authorities in the region announce that major airports, seaports, and carrier operations will be suspended, starting from 2am, 1st September 2023, until further notice.
Our offices in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou will be closed on 1st September, 2023. However, all of our communication channels will remain open.
We will continue monitoring the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. Should you have any questions regarding your shipments, please do not hesitate to contact your local GEODIS representative.
South Korea is facing supply chain disruptions caused by Typhoon Khanun on August 9th. Hundreds of flights and trains were cancelled, and businesses closed. Below are the latest updates regarding the impact of Typhoon Khanun on major port and airfreight operations across the country:
Ocean freight: All major national port operations are closed.
• Empty container collection and loaded container gate-in/gate-out services may be suspended until further notice. Terminal container services are expected to resume over the next few days.
• Busan, Masan and Gwangyang ports will reopen on the evening of August 10th.
• Ulsan, Pohang, Pyeongtaek and Incheon ports will reopen on Friday, August 11th afternoon.
• Please be aware that unexpected demurrage and detention charges may apply.
Air freight: Departures & arrivals will operate with delays.
Most airlines are expected to operate with potential delays. As of now, none of the airports have scheduled to close due to the weather conditions.
Our response time may be affected by the situation, we thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to provide regular updates.
Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS local representative or reach us at [email protected]
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Biparjoy has now intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm and is expected to land on Gujarat's Saurashtra and Kutch regions and adjoining Pakistan coasts on 15th June 2023. The weather forecast indicates a wind speed of 150km/h, which poses a serious risk to freight operations in the area.
Ocean Freight: Impact on operations in Karachi port in Pakistan and Kandal, Mundra and Pipavav ports in India
- APM Terminals Pipavav Port in India has suspended all marine and quayside operations at Pipavav Port from 22:00h local time, 10th June; landside operations are also suspended, with immediate effect.
- Adani Ports and Logistics India has also announced that no berthing operation will be conducted for incoming vessels from 15:00h local time, 12th June.
- Vessels that are scheduled to berth at Karachi and Port Kasim over the coming few days may be affected.
We closely monitor the situation while we continue to serve and provide you with regular updates.
Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative.
The strike by the unionized workers was planned from 17:30 March 22 to 6:00 March 24 in protest of low pay is impacting pilot transfer boat crews, making it difficult for large vessels to enter and exit the port.
Following the strike warning, the Port Authorities of Hamburg closed the river Elbe to large vessels before the strike, leaving at least 18 vessels with a length of 90 meters or a width of 13 meters or greater stranded outside the port as of 13:30 March 22.
The restrictions are expected to last until March 24. Maritime transportation disruptions and processing delays may last for several days after the strike ends as port authorities work to resolve the situation.
We are closely monitoring the strike situation to continue serving you and providing regular updates.
Please contact your GEODIS representative for any specific issues or additional information.
France faces nationwide strikes over highly contested pension reforms from 14 March to 17 March at 06:00 am local time. Transport services joined strikes which caused services to be severely disrupted at local, regional, and international levels. The strikes impacted operations and caused significant disruptions across France, including cargo flow
Air Freight
- Air transport will continue to be disrupted through Friday 17 March, Transport Minister Clement Beaune said, with about 20% fewer flights at Paris' main airport, Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle, and a drop of 30% at Orly
Ocean Freight
- The ports of Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer had a 72-hour closure with schedule impacts on the services calling these ports. Le Havre: Terminal closure, including gates and operations, until 17 March.
- On the multimodal side, all trains are cancelled at both Port of Le Havre and the Port of Fos sur Mer and containers are being stored on inland depots
GEODIS teams are assessing the situation and finding alternative solutions to redirect cargo where appropriate to minimize risks and impacts on our customers' supply chain.
We are closely monitoring the strike situation to continue serving you and providing regular updates.
Please contact your GEODIS representative for any specific issues or additional information.
It has been reported that The National Federation of Ports and Docks C.G.T. calls on all port workers and dockers to a 48-hour strike on March 7-8, with the maintenance of the abolition of overtime and exceptional shifts. Below are the details of the strike:
Le Havre Port: A strike is scheduled for Tuesday March 7 and Wednesday March 8, 2023, from March 7 at 6:00 a.m. until March 9 at 6:00 a.m.
Marseille-Fos Port: A strike is scheduled from Monday March 6, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. to Wednesday March 8, 2023, at 8:00 p.m.
There could be some delays expected due to this incident.
Please reach out to your GEODIS representative for specific issues or additional information.
On 6 February 2023, 7.8 magnitude earthquakes toppled thousands of infrastructures including hospitals, schools, and apartment blocks, causing over 20,000 deaths with tens of thousands of people injured, across Turkey and Syria.
In Turkey, due to the severity of earthquake, there is significant damage for logistics and transport infrastructure around the Pazarcik, Kahramanmaras, Antep, and Hatay including at the Port of Iskenderun.
All operations in Port of Iskenderun have stopped until further notice. The shipping lines announced all shipments bound for the port or already on the water, a change of destination will be performed. Containers are also planned to be diverted to nearby hubs within operational feasibility or hold at transshipment ports - including the Port of Mersin and Port Said.
Road transportation has also been affected heavily near the cities Antep, and Hatay. Trucks are not able to move in and around the area.
Hatay Airport, whose runway was damaged from the earthquake, is closed for all flights.
We are closely monitoring the situation while we continue to serve you and we will provide regular updates.
Should you have any concern and/or queries, please feel free to contact your GEODIS representative or reach our local team in Turkey at: [email protected]
The second release of the European Union's Import Control System 2 (ICS2). As of March 1st, 2023, the EU will implement a new customs security and safety program requiring electronic data for a pre-loading risk assessment of air cargo entering or transiting the European market.
The new requirement applies to all goods shipped by air into or transiting via the EU or Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland, regardless of their value. The following additionally compulsory details must be made available for each item on the air waybills:
- A minimum six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code
- An accurate goods description
- The final consignee's EORI number (for shipments going into EU countries, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland only)
To help you prepare and avoid unexpected disruptions and extra costs, we highly recommend you promptly take the following necessary actions:
- Classify all your goods with the correct 6-digit HS code
- Provide detailed goods description, including its specification, materials, and usage
- Get the EORI number from one of the EU Member States' customs authorities
- Ensure all the above information is available to GEODIS
- on the shipping documents
- during the booking
All necessary actions must be executed by February 21st, 2023 so that all shipments can continue to be processed, and delivered to their final destinations.
Please be aware that release 3 of ICS2 for operators carrying goods on maritime, inland waterways, roads, and railways will become effective as of March 1st, 2024.
Should you have a system integration setup for your bookings through EDI or API with us, please get in touch with your GEODIS contact as soon as possible.
Please reach out to GEODIS representatives, who will answer any questions and support you regarding this matter.