Set procedures make speedy call switches difficult for carriers
Shipping lines trying to switch port calls because of congestion problems have to follow long-establ…Shipping lines trying to switch port calls because of congestion problems have to follow long-established procedures and rules designed to make the system fair for all parties. The procedures apply to all ports. One month is about the average between a line announcing a change and the first call at a new port. Another two weeks can be added for management to decide on a different rotation.
Hapag-Lloyd in mid-October said it would suspend calls at Savannah in mid-November and go to Jacksonville instead. CMA CGM also said in mid-October that it is changing calls from Savannah to Charleston in the middle of November.
Ocean Network Express (ONE) is restarting its PS5 service to Oakland on 13 November, a month after making an announcement. It suspended service in 2019. Federal, state and port authorities have to be notified, customers contacted, tariffs set and terminals to be chosen.