The Current Struggles of Motorhome Shipping from Europe to New Zealand: A Closer Look at the Australian Quarantine Delays

The global shipping industry is a complex web of logistics, regulations, and unforeseen challenges. One area that has been particularly affected in recent times is motorhome shipping from Europe to New Zealand. This sector is currently grappling with a myriad of issues, from port delays to alack of tonnage to the Oceania region, all of which are causing significant disruptions and delays.

The Australian Quarantine Delays: A Major Contributor to the Lack of Tonnage

A significant challenge facing the motorhome shipping industry is the lack of tonnage to the Oceania region. In shipping terms, 'tonnage' refers to the capacity or volume of a ship or fleet. The current lack of tonnage to the Oceania region means that there are fewer ships available to transport motorhomes from Europe to New Zealand.

One of the key reasons behind this lack of tonnage is the quarantine delays in Australia. According to a report by Joshua Dowling on Drive, more than 60,000 new vehicles are caught up in a quarantine traffic jam in Australia, creating a backlog on a scale never seen before. This unprecedented bottleneck has forced thousands of customers to wait even longer for their new vehicles, including motorhomes.

The report states that at least two dozen car carriers (RORO) ships are anchored offshore or are in transit between ports, creating a pile up at ports around the country. The worst affected port is Melbourne, where 12 car carrier ships were waiting to discharge, with at least a further four car carrier ships off the coast of Sydney and another four off the coast of Brisbane.

This situation has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of ships available to transport motorhomes from Europe to New Zealand. The lack of tonnage to the Oceania region has led to increased competition for space on ships, leading to higher freight rates. This, in turn, has increased the cost of motorhome shipping from Europe to New Zealand, making it more expensive for customers and potentially reducing demand.

The Impact of the Australian Quarantine Delays

The quarantine delays in Australia are not only affecting the availability of ships but are also causing significant disruptions to the shipping schedules. Some car carrier vessels have been held offshore for up to two weeks until the ports clear. This has resulted in significant delays in the shipping of motorhomes from Europe to New Zealand.

Furthermore, the quarantine delays are also affecting the shipping industry's ability to handle the current volume of motorhomes. According to the report, quarantine cleaning teams can only process vehicles at a rate of nine cars per hour during normal business hours. At this rate, each quarantine cleaning team can only process about 350 new cars per week, while Australians buy new motor vehicles at a rate of 21,000 cars per week.

In conclusion, the motorhome shipping industry is currently facing a number of significant challenges. The congestion at key European ports and the lack of tonnage to the Oceania region, exacerbated by the quarantine delays in Australia, are causing delays and increasing costs. However, the industry is resilient and is constantly adapting to these challenges. With the right strategies and solutions, it is hoped that these issues can be overcome, ensuring the smooth and efficient shipping of motorhomes from Europe to New Zealand.

Reference: Dowling, J. (2023, February 8). More than 60,000 new cars stuck in quarantine traffic jam. Drive. Retrieved from https://www.drive.com.au/

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