Recent events have had an impact on both the Panama and Suez canals that are causing delays or otherwise impacting shipments worldwide.

Draught has reduced the capacity of the Panama canal, causing the volume of vessels transiting the canal to drop by 27.5% in December 2023 compared to December 2022. Many carriers are avoiding the Panama canal or having to wait for a slot, causing an increase in transit times and cost.

At the same time, attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf of Aden have caused many ocean carriers to avoid the area and the Suez Canal in favor of going around the African continent, again resulting in an increase in transit times and cost.

These longer transit times have resulting in 'blank sailings', or planned sailings that have to be cancelled.

If you have ocean shipments planned, keep this in mind for planning purposes. You many need to ship further in advance than you had planned, or change more time critical shipments to air freight.

More information here and here.

Need help with your shipments? American Cargoservice has the experience to handle import, export, or domestic shipments by air, sea, and truck, including dangerous goods! Contact us!