ADAPTING TO A NEW SUPPLY CHAIN

The current global situation has truly highlighted the importance of the supply chain and the intricacies that need to work together to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and cargo across the world.
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While cargo continues to move through Port Nelson thanks to essential work operating business as usual with the required COVID19 adjustments, there are a number of global forces that impact certain aspects of our business.

The current COVID-19 situation has seen the supply chain challenged and the knock-on effects are inevitable. The dramatic drop in consumption of non-essential goods has increased capacity on shipping trades, resulting in reduced returns to carriers. The situation is exacerbated by the restricted work practices and full containers of unclaimed cargo unable to be discharged, while others remain empty on port awaiting loading. The global repositioning of containers full and empty has become increasingly difficult due to this congestion of ports and interrupted supply chain.

The current peak pipfruit season in the Nelson Tasman region has heightened the need for containers particularly reefers. Port Nelson is working closely with the shipping lines to make sure that containers are made available as and when required. The seasonal call of Maersk during this peak time is also hoped to expediate the export of fruit from our region.

These challenges have also seen exporters adapting to the new supply chain by utilising chartered breakbulk vessels to move their produce to the market. While this is not a new method of moving fresh produce, and is still used by kiwi exporters, it is the first for apples out of Port Nelson since 2016.

Port Nelson remains flexible to our customers’ needs and will continue to collaborate across the supply chain to ensure all needs are met.