Empty Container Return to Felixstowe

October 15, 2021 - Update 5

Sealand Maersk advisory regarding UK empty equipment return

Dear customer,

Staying committed to keeping you up to speed with the developments that affect your supply chain, please find the latest update regarding empty equipment returns for Felixstowe.

We have been working tirelessly to increase empty uplifts on vessel calls, source additional berthing windows to bring in extra loaders and procure additional off-dock storage facilities to relieve the Felixstowe yard density. As a result the Felixstowe gate will reopen on Friday 15th at noon for empty equipment returns.

We would like to thank all of our customers for your efforts, patience and understanding during this incredibly difficult period. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Maersk professional for more information.

October 14, 2021 - Update 4

Staying committed to keeping you up to speed with the developments that affect your supply chain, please find the latest update regarding empty equipment returns for Felixstowe.

We have been working tirelessly to increase empty uplifts on vessel calls, source additional berthing windows to bring in extra loaders and procure additional off-dock storage facilities. Despite our continued efforts, due to the high density of containers on the terminal, we are unable to accept any empty returns to Felixstowe terminal from 0700hrs 14/10.

As part of our current empty evacuation plan, we have sourced some additional storage that can be utilised - the site is located at Tilbury port and their opening hours are 0630-1800. Details as follows and please quote ref. MA999 upon arrival.

London Container Storage
Gate 2 (old P&O gate)
Port of Tilbury

The situation remains very fluid and we will provide further updates at the earliest opportunity.

We would like to thank all of our customers for your efforts, patience and understanding during this incredibly difficult period. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Maersk professional for more information.

October 11, 2021 - Update 3

Staying committed to keeping you up to speed with the developments that affect your supply chain, please find the latest update regarding empty equipment returns for Felixstowe & London Gateway.

Felixstowe

The gate reopened on Friday 8th at 1600hrs as expected.

It is imperative we continue to reduce the empty flows at the port, we will continue to accept merchant haulage returns to other UK ports (with the exception of London Gateway).

London Gateway

We are pleased the gate has reopened for empty returns today.

As a priority we are steering reefer equipment into London Gateway to support a smooth equipment flow and meet our evacutation plans.

To avoid negatively impacting the yard density, we continue to offer the sourced additional storage at Tilbury Port, as per previous Customer Advisory.

We would like to thank all of our customers for your continued efforts, patience and understanding during this incredibly difficult time. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Maersk professional for more information.

October 08, 2021 - Update 2

Staying committed to keeping you up to speed with the developments that affect your supply chain, please find the latest update regarding empty equipment returns for Felixstowe & London Gateway.

Felixstowe

We have been working tirelessly to increase the empty uplift on vessels alongside, and to find additional berthing windows to bring in extra loaders. As a result, the gates will re-open to accept empty containers from 1600hrs on 08/10.

For any urgent returns in the meantime we have sourced empty storage in Ipswich which can be utilised immediately. Depot details are as follows and their opening times are 0600-1800. Please quote ref. MA999 upon arrival.

James Kemball LTD
ABP Ipswich
West Bank Terminal
Ipswich
IP2 8LY

London Gateway

Due to the high volume of empty returns following the gate closures at Felixstowe, we have seen an extraordinary amount of empty returns into London Gateway. Already operating with a high yard density, yesterday the terminal authorities made the difficult decision to close their gates for empty returns from 1800hrs 07/10.

Due to the current density, we do not expect the gates to reopen until early next week. As part of our current empty evacuation plan, we have sourced some additional storage that can be utilised. The site is located at Tilbury port, and their opening times are 0630-1800. Details as follows and please quote ref. MA999 upon arrival.

London Container Storage
Gate 2 (old P&O gate)
Port of Tilbury

We would like to thank all of our customers for your efforts, patience and understanding during this incredibly difficult week. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Maersk professional for more information.

October 06, 2021 - Update 1

Keeping your supply chain running is of the utmost priority to us, but unfortunately due to the high volume of empty containers on the terminal in Felixstowe, we are unable to accept any of your empty returns to the terminal in question.

In giving you this information we hope to avoid further congestion and port disruption. We advise that you steer merchant haulage empty returns to London Gateway. If returning in the North West or North East of the country, then please steer to the following feeder ports.

• Grangemouth
• South shields
• Immingham
• Hull
• Seaforth
• Teesport

We understand this is far from ideal and continue to follow the situation closely with the Port and are looking at ways to reopen as soon as possible.

This is a change to our normal contingency plan, should you have any issues booking containers to the alternative ports please reach out to Gb.Equipment@maersk.com.

We sincerely regret the impact this has on your supply chain and as soon as we are able to reopen, we will inform you accordingly. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Maersk professional for more information.