KC Group Shipping Limited

🚢 Positive Developments in US Port Strikes – KC Group Shipping Update📢 We're excited to share encouraging news! A tentative agreement has been reached between the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), and dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts are expected to be back at work by tomorrow, October 5! 🙌 This is a positive update for everyone in the supply chain industry and our customers. While there will be some backlog to manage as terminals reopen, KC Group Shipping is already working proactively to ensure that your shipments are handled as efficiently as possible during this time. Here’s what you need to know: ➡️ Backlog Management: Delays may occur as ports clear accumulated shipments, and we appreciate your patience during this process. 💬 Communication: Our team remains in close contact with all key players to minimise the impact and keep you informed of any updates. This agreement is a positive step forward, and we are confident that the situation will improve in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we navigate this together! #SupplyChain #ShippingNews #Logistics #USPorts #BeKC

US Port Strike Imminent with Additional Disruption at Canadian Ports - 1 October 2024 As we deliver this update, no agreement has been reached between the International Longshoremen's Association and the Maritime Alliance. Therefore, a strike on the US Eastern Seaboard and Gulf ports seems inevitable. The brinkmanship between the two parties will likely cause severe disruption in the lead-up to the holiday period. Five weeks before the US presidential election, the White House said that administration officials had been in touch with both sides and were "working around the clock" over the weekend to avert the strike, which appears not to have led to any breakthrough. We are exploring alternative shipping routes and logistics solutions and monitoring the situation daily, but disruption is inevitable. In the coming days, we will contact you regarding any affected current shipments and planned bookings. The effect of the strikes - Work Disruption Surcharge A Work Disruption Surcharge (WDS) will be implemented on 18 October 2024. It will apply to imports to the US Gulf and US East Coast from all ports in North Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Oceania, and Latin America. It is valid until further notice. There is a 30-day notice from when they file the surcharge in their tariff rule. The effective dates will vary depending on when the surcharge was filed, and it is possible that the surcharge could be reduced or waived entirely before it takes effect. We are currently seeing surcharges of USD 800 – 1500 for a 20-ft container and USD 1600 – 3000 per 40-ft container, with each carrier implementing a different policy. Canadian Port Strikes To add to the potential issues, the Montreal Port Longshoremen's Union issued a Strike Notice announcing a three-day strike, starting Monday, 30 September, at 7 a.m. EST until Thursday, 3 October, at 7 a.m. EST. The Union said the strike would occur at two terminals operated by Tremont Montreal, namely the Viau and Maisonneuve Terminals, with further disruption possible. Cargo shipping destined for US ports is expected to remain at anchor until the strike is lifted. With 100,000 containers expected to be sitting dockside, the knock-on effect of clearing the backlog could see weeks of further disruption even once the strike is lifted. Please contact your KC Group Shipping representative, who can discuss all implications in more detail.

BACKGROUND: US East and Gulf ports face a potential strike by 45,000 dockworkers starting October 1st, 2024. The strike could disrupt supply chains and affect key industries, including auto manufacturing and fresh food imports. It could cost the US economy up to $7.5 billion a week. The union demands significant wage increases and stricter regulations on automation while negotiations with port operators remain stalled. EXPECTED REPERCUSSIONS: East and Gulf Coast Ports are preparing for a complete work stoppage by the ILA dockworkers union on October 1st. In anticipation of the strike, the rail carriers have announced gate closures beginning at 5:30 PM today, 9/23/24. Rail carriers will cease accepting containers bound for US East and Gulf Coast ports at this time. At this point, the strike appears to be inevitable. Regardless of whether the strike ultimately takes place or not, additional charges are expected to be assessed by the railroads, ocean carriers and terminals for any shipments, export or import, that are held up at the rail yards and/or East and Gulf Coast ports, or on the vessels awaiting berthing and unloading. There is also the potential for additional transportation charges for import shipments in the event ocean carriers elect to discharge shipments at alternate ports. Leaving the cargo owner to arrange further transport to the final destination at their own risk and expense. Our Continued Commitment: KC Group Shipping is actively tracking developments in these negotiations and is proactively taking steps to minimise the impact on your business. We are exploring alternative shipping routes and logistics solutions to ensure we can provide support should the strike occur. Please contact our team if you would like to discuss how this situation may affect your current or future orders. We understand that this is a challenging situation, and we are here to help you navigate these potential challenges.

🌍 Case Study Highlight: Sustainable Rum Transportation 🍹⚓️ At KC Group Shipping Limited, we're proud to share our latest achievement in sustainable logistics! We recently partnered with one of the world's leading rum producers to ensure their product is transported efficiently and with minimal environmental impact. By optimising our supply chain and utilising eco-friendly methods, we've significantly reduced carbon emissions during the rum's journey. This case study highlights how strategic planning and innovative solutions can make a real difference in the logistics industry. Set sail on an adventure with us - read the case study to discover more about how we're contributing in some small way to a greener future for shipping: https://lnkd.in/eKXe3NGp #SustainableLogistics #EcoFriendlyShipping #GreenSupplyChain #KCGroupShipping #SustainableTransport #RumIndustry #CarbonReduction #LogisticsInnovation #EnvironmentallyConscious #CaseStudy

Potential US Port Strikes: How Your Business Could Be Affected and How KC Group Shipping Is Prepared to Support You As labour negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) approach their critical deadline of 30th September 2024, the shipping industry faces the possibility of significant disruption. If a resolution is not reached, strikes could begin as early as 1st October 2024, potentially affecting ports across the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Key Issues at Stake: ➡ Wage adjustments for port workers ➡ Debates over port automation These ongoing discussions may lead to considerable impacts on supply chains, including: ➡ Delays: Extended transit times for goods passing through affected ports  ➡ Stock Availability: Temporary shortages and longer lead times for products reliant on just-in-time inventory  ➡ Additional Costs: Increased fees due to port congestion, rerouting, and storage At KC Group Shipping, we closely monitor the situation and have contingency plans to help minimise disruptions to your business. We actively explore alternative shipping routes and logistical solutions to ensure your operations continue smoothly. We understand that these uncertainties can be concerning, but we are committed to supporting your supply chain through these challenges. If you have any questions or want to discuss how this may impact your current or upcoming shipments, please contact our team. #USPortStrikes #SupplyChainManagement #LogisticsSupport #KCGroupShipping #ShippingDelays #BusinessContinuity #CustomerSupport #JustInTime

🌍 Sustainable Logistics in Action Exploring the Effectiveness of the KC Group Shipping & Extreme E Relationship 🌱 We're proud to share our latest case study, showcasing how KC Group Shipping aligned with and supported Extreme E with efficient, environmentally friendly logistics for their global race series. Extreme E is an organisation that holds radical off-road racing in the most remote corners of the planet, which is impacted by climate change. Understanding the Extreme E commitment to reducing carbon emissions was step one, and we ensured that every aspect of the project cargo transportation minimised environmental impact. 🎥 Watch the video featuring KC Managing Director Dave Milne and Nick Brown, Operations Director at Extreme E to learn more about the event, logistics and effective relationship. "At KC Group Shipping, we take every opportunity to reduce our operations' carbon footprint, adding value to our clients' Environmental, Social and Governance strategies. Working with Extreme E has allowed us to put our sustainable logistics solutions into action, helping to support their vision of a low-carbon future." — David Milne, Managing Director, KC Group Shipping. Discover how our tailored logistics approach successfully met the unique demands of this ground-breaking event. 🔗 Visit and explore the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/ekgqUkD9 If you're seeking sustainable, proactive logistics solutions for your project cargo, contact the KC team, and let's work together to ensure a greener approach to transport management. You can learn more about Extreme E by visiting: https://lnkd.in/ex8CN8b6 #SustainableLogistics #ExtremeE #CarbonReduction #ProjectCargo #KCGroupShipping  

🌍 Sustainable Logistics in Action Exploring the Effectiveness of the KC Group Shipping & Extreme E Relationship 🌱 We're proud to share our latest case study, showcasing how KC Group Shipping aligned with and supported Extreme E with efficient, environmentally friendly logistics for their global race series. Extreme E is an organisation that holds radical off-road racing in the most remote corners of the planet, which is impacted by climate change. Understanding the Extreme E commitment to reducing carbon emissions was step one, and we ensured that every aspect of the project cargo transportation minimised environmental impact. 🎥 Watch the video featuring KC Managing Director Dave Milne and Nick Brown, Operations Director at Extreme E to learn more about the event, logistics and effective relationship. "At KC Group Shipping, we take every opportunity to reduce our operations' carbon footprint, adding value to our clients' Environmental, Social and Governance strategies. Working with Extreme E has allowed us to put our sustainable logistics solutions into action, helping to support their vision of a low-carbon future." — David Milne, Managing Director, KC Group Shipping. Discover how our tailored logistics approach successfully met the unique demands of this ground-breaking event. 🔗 Visit and explore the full case study here: https://lnkd.in/ekgqUkD9 If you're seeking sustainable, proactive logistics solutions for your project cargo, contact the KC team, and let's work together to ensure a greener approach to transport management. You can learn more about Extreme E by visiting: https://lnkd.in/ex8CN8b6 #SustainableLogistics #ExtremeE #CarbonReduction #ProjectCargo #KCGroupShipping

Important Update on Operations in Bangladesh ‼️🚨 Following up on our previous communication about the ongoing curfew and internet outage in Bangladesh, we would like to give you the latest updates on how this situation affects our operations. Unfortunately, we have to let you know that the disruptions in Bangladesh have intensified. The government has imposed an indefinite curfew from 18:00 hrs on 4 August, which will remain in effect until further notice. Mobile internet services have been shut down again, and other wi-fi and broadband connections are intermittent and vary by location. A public holiday has also been declared from 5 to 7 August (Monday to Wednesday). As a result, container movements at the ports have been significantly impacted and are operating slower than usual. Container Freight Stations (CFS) also function with minimal resources. Our teams are diligently working to gather as much information as possible, and we will give you more updates on the situation as soon as possible. We understand this is a challenging situation, and as your trusted freight forwarder, we assure you that our teams are committed to supporting you. We will contact you as soon as possible and are always available to help you.

Customer Advisory IT Outage 19th July 2024 We regret to inform you that the Transport Sector has been significantly affected by a recent Global IT outage. This disruption has rendered some services unavailable, resulting in considerable delays at numerous ports. VBS and Dest8 systems are back up and running, but there are still potential delays.   Our Internal Systems appear to be unaffected, but we are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Should you have any specific inquiries regarding the impact of this outage on your shipments, please do not hesitate to contact your designated operations representative. We will keep customers updated via emails when we have further news.

Transhipment ports challenged by changes in call patterns amid the Red Sea crisis. As the Red Sea and Suez routes continue to impact global shipping, Drewry Container Capacity Insight has updated its predictions for Q3 and Q4. Key transhipment ports, such as Singapore, have witnessed a sharp rise in congestion due to the impact of Red Sea carrier service diversions. These diversions have led to fewer vessel calls but larger average exchanges, adding to yard congestion. Port productivity has also taken a hit in recent months, and the time spent by ships waiting before berthing at high-volume ports tracked by Drewry increased 43% between 3Q23 and 2Q24 – to over 400,000 hours. To read more about the current situation and forecast, click the image link below.