August 29.8.07 - 17.00 hrs
Kindly be advised that following arrangements have been made in respect of cargo discharged from/booked for the APL Iris 142E :
- Import cargo which was discharged at Zeebrugge will be feedered to Antwerp by barge "Ara Zeebrugge" with ETD Fri 31.8 and ETA Antwerp on 1.9.07.
- Export cargo will be transferred as follows :
- all DG and Shanghai destined cargo has been booked for the next NW2 sailing with APL Germany ETD 3.9.07 20.00 hrs.
- all harmless and Hong Kong destined cargo will be barged to Rotterdam to connect with Osaka Express on the AE3 service - ETD Rtm 7.09.07 at 07.00 hrs.
We have tried to reduce the impact of the strike as much as possible and are certain to rely on your understanding for late delivery of the shipments concerned and the inconvenience this has caused.
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Tuesday 28.8.07 - 12.00 hrs
We would herewith like to confirm that the River Pilots have come to an agreement with the Flemish government yesterday evening. This means that a further strike has been called off and they are now working normally and trying to clear the back log of all ships waiting either to exit or enter the port of Antwerp.
As far as OOCL services are concerned, the only service which has suffered from the pilots' action is the Far East NW2 service with APL Iris who was diverted to Zeebrugge. All import cargo which was discharged from this vessel will be feedered to Antwerp however exact ETD/ETA not known yet. The export cargo for the APL Iris was left in Antwerp and we are now working on a contingency plan to transfer the cargo to the next available vessel. We hope to be able to finalise all before C.O.B today and revert with further details.
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Monday 27.8.2007
As from Friday night the River pilots have stopped working and only started working during the normal day hours on Saturday and Sunday. This resulted in gigantic congestion and delays almost to a complete stop with the incoming and outgoing traffic for the port of Antwerp. Currently there are about 70 vessels waiting at anchorage to come in and another numerous waiting in Antwerp port to get out.
Negotiations between government and pilots are still going on but for the moment the pilots are still working only during day time. Needles to say that these actions have disastrous effects on our current schedules and we are depending on priority of vessels receiving pilots.
Below overview of latest status :
GAX - York Town Express departed Fri 24/8 20:30 hrs
GEX - OOCL Belgium departed Sat 25/08 22:10 hrs
PAX - New York Express departed Sun 26/08 12:05 hrs
NW2 - APL Iris diverted to Zeebrugge OCHZ where Antwerp imports were discharged. No export call planned, contingency plan to be advised soonest.
GEX - Flottbek departed 27/08 05:45 hrs
GMX - Hero expected today 27/08 1400 hrs and etd 28/08 1400 hrs.
AE2 - OOCL Tokyo left Hamburg and eta Antwerp 28/08 1400 hrs.
We would suggest to check with your local office contact at OOCL to ensure you are up-to-date with delivery/loading plans per vessel expected in Antwerp.
