Ports across Africa, Asia, and the Americas reported varied disruptions during the week of 5-11 December 2025, with weather, protests, flooding, and congestion impacting vessel turnaround times and cargo handling. Kuehne+Nagel's operational updates highlighted heavily disrupted facilities where 7-day average waiting times surpassed 4 days, underscoring persistent supply chain pressures.
Cape Town and Durban Experience Wind and Protest Disruptions
At Cape Town in South Africa, strong winds disrupted terminal activities and caused an inconsistent export stack schedule and vessel cancellations. Average vessel wait time stood at three days over seven days but significant delays remained due to wind-bound conditions.
Durban experienced operational challenges compounded by scheduled crane maintenance at Pier 1, which caused wait times to exceed three and a half days on average, including one protest on Bayhead Road on 9 December that disrupted access until midday, before traffic returned to normal in Bayhead and Langeberg Road precincts.
Dar es Salaam Remains Heavily Congested
Tanzania's Dar es Salaam port continued severe disruptions from nationwide unrest since 29 October, with a 7-day average vessel waiting time of 5.7 days. Despite reopening requests on 4 November, congestion at terminals, gates, and roads delayed customs clearance and connectivity, with full stabilisation not expected until late December.
Indonesia Ports Close Due to Floodwaters
In Indonesia's Belawan on Sumatra, severe flooding disrupted operations, with the third berth at the terminal set for full restoration on 17 December. The 7-day average waiting time was around 4 days amid high incoming volumes, delayed ships, construction, and labour shortages.
Delta II Terminal saw yard utilisation rates as low as 33
UK Ports Take on Weather and Congestion
London Gateway Port in the United Kingdom reported a 7-day average vessel waiting time of 1 day, with yard at 62
Southampton was left scrambling by weather delays affecting multiple lines, with yard utilisation at 81
Central America Struggles with Imbalances and Shortages
Nicaragua's Corinto port saw high yard density and waiting times up to 10 days before operations began, averaging 3.11 days. Import-export container imbalances delayed empty unit evacuation, with local customs imposing fines on excess empties.
In Guatemala's Puerto Barrios, yard utilisation hit 88
Mexico's Manzanillo reported road blockades in the Bajío region and rail complications at CONTECON terminal, reducing import rail platform time to 96 hours amid November backlogs. Waiting time averaged 1 day.
Other Notable Updates include.
Bangladesh's Chittagong port had discharge operations dominating, limiting exports at 62.36
Australia's Melbourne averaged 4.63 days waiting time. Senegal's Dakar stood at 4.5 days, and Mozambique's Maputo anticipated wind gusts impacting schedules.
Disruption classifications typically identify business as usual for events occurring under two days waiting, slightly disrupted for two to four days and shut down due to major events.