Deviations in ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), ETD (Estimated Time of Departure), and ATA (Actual Time of Arrival) in shipping schedules are primarily influenced by dynamic factors at the port.
Weefreight will provide you with a detailed explanation below, hoping it will be helpful to you.
I. Port Congestion and Operational Efficiency
Terminal Congestion: During peak seasons or due to unexpected congestion at popular ports (such as Los Angeles, Rotterdam, and Shanghai), vessels may need to queue at anchorages, directly leading to delays in ETA and ETD, with deviations potentially lasting several days.
Operational Efficiency: Malfunctions of terminal cranes, worker strikes, and inefficient operating procedures can extend loading and unloading times, causing delays in ETD, and subsequently affecting the ETA of subsequent ports of call.
Berth Scheduling: Berth shortages and scheduling errors can prevent vessels from berthing on time, directly disrupting the shipping schedule.
II. Weather and Natural Conditions
Extreme Weather: Typhoons, heavy rain, fog, and cold waves can cause ports to suspend operations or close, requiring vessels to reroute or wait, leading to significant delays in ETA/ETD.
Hydrological Restrictions: Tides, shoals, and ocean currents can affect large vessels, requiring them to wait for favorable tides to enter the port. If the tide is missed, the ETA will be delayed by several hours to one day.
III. Port Policies and Inspections
Customs Inspection: Customs at the destination port may conduct random inspections and open containers, extending customs clearance and loading/unloading times, affecting ETD. If it is a transit port, it will also lead to deviations in the ETA of subsequent voyages.
Policy Adjustments: Temporary surcharges, adjustments to operating hours, and implementation of epidemic prevention and control measures at ports can disrupt operations and cause fluctuations in shipping schedules. Security Checks: Increased security measures at ports or on vessels lead to longer berthing and departure times, causing minor deviations.
IV. Transshipment and Connection Factors
Transshipment Port Congestion: When cargo is transshipped through a transshipment port, congestion and delays in loading and unloading at the transshipment port can lead to delays in the second leg vessel’s ETD and deviations in the final destination port’s ETA.
Slot Connection: If transshipped cargo is not unloaded and loaded onto the next vessel in time, missing the cut-off time for the second leg vessel, it will need to wait for the next vessel, resulting in a significant delay in ETA.
V. Other Port-Related Factors
Equipment Malfunctions: Shortages of port tugboats or pilots, or vessel malfunctions requiring repairs at the port, directly affect ETD.
Logistics Pressure: Congestion of inland trucks and railways at the port prevents timely cargo collection or distribution, causing vessels to wait for cargo and delaying ETD.
Peak Season/Unexpected Demand: During holidays and before major e-commerce sales events, port operations surge, exceeding capacity, leading to widespread shipping delays.
VI. Deviation Patterns and Solutions
Deviation Characteristics: Deviations are greater during peak seasons, at popular ports, and on transshipment routes. ATA and ETA deviations are usually 1-3 days, and in extreme cases, more than a week.
Solutions: Check port congestion indices and weather warnings in advance, choose direct routes or transshipment ports with less congestion; confirm real-time shipping schedules with your freight forwarder and allow for buffer time.
(Note: The above information regarding timeliness or costs is for reference only. Please refer to the actual situation at the time of shipment for specific details. Thank you!)
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