Port congestion, made worse by an increasing influx of imports from Asia, is going to make it much more expensive for shippers moving cargo in and out of the Benelux countries.
Major inland cargo operators in the Benelux countries of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands will be implementing new congestion charges and significant transportation rates increases.
This move has been attributed to increasing delays in the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, said reports today. Operators say that the upcoming Christmas peak season will only escalate current delays and may result in even higher revisions of added fees.
According to Van Uden Container Barging director Diederik Antvelink both Antwerp and Rotterdam are currently suffering from structural delays.
Antvelink said that Van Uden, the region's largest container barge operator, is currently taking up to double or even triple the normal amount of operational time for turn around.?"It is very difficult to plan,"? said Antvelink. "?We are at the point where these delays affect our systems."?
Antvelink added that the delays directly push up costs which will have to passed on to their clients. According to Antvelink an already significant 10% increase of general rates in June will soon have to be substantiated with a further 20% next month.
Reports say that the main problem with Rotterdam is under-capacity while Antwerp's delays are largely a result of insufficient manning.
Antvelink said that if Antwerp could be a true 24-hour port for barges, the delays could well be alleviated.
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