Current delivery times of our furniture and their reliability due to COVID-19
In this blog, we would like to inform you of the current delivery time of furniture and accessories, and its reliability.
We receive many questions about the delivery times of the furniture our clients have ordered. Unfortunately, the projected delivery times are not always reliable, and they can differ (greatly) in some cases.
Neither we nor the manufacturer have any influence on these delivery issues.
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, production is hindered by staff absenteeism, a lack of raw materials, and sky high container prices, while the containers are also delayed, change their route, or aren’t available at all.
Underneath, you can read the article from Interior Business, a journal in the furniture branche.
CONTAINER CRISIS: ‘WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS’
Placed by Interior Business Redaction | Dec 16, 2020 | News
The roof has been blown off.
”The saying ‘Blowing the roof off’ is often used in a positive way, for example for a good concert or party. In our case, as a forwarder, ‘the roof has been blown off’ too, but unfortunately this saying has received an extremely negative connotation.” Dynasty Shipping says this about the current container crisis.
The sea freight levels – when it comes to the (huge) demand and the (insufficient) supply of containers and cargo space – has reached a price that has never been seen before. “We are now in a situation where we can no longer use our previous experience or historical data to answer the question of how this situation will develop.”
It makes sense that the current prices are making many retailers nervous, especially with the prognosis that these will rise further in January, up to a price of $10,000,- per 40ft container. There are even UK importers speaking of prices of $13,500,- per 40ft container. On top of these already absured prices, shipping companies are also giving out huge cancellation fees for cancelling a reservation, 2 weeks before departure, of $2000,- per container, while it isn’t even guaranteed that a container will be available. By now, some importers are not sure if these prices are affordable anymore, and if customers will accept the price increases.
”In addition, we are dealing with ships that depart late in Asia, arrive late in Europe, skip harbors or change their route, which currently delays all ships significantly. This situation is ongoing in many Europeans harbors at the moment, and certainly also in Rotterdam: Ships arrive late more often than they arrive on time. This all has to do with a late departure from China, congestion in the many harbors all around the world, and changing the route during the sea voyage. A poignant example of this is the story of an importer who ordered eight containers with toys for Christmas to Southampton. During the voyage, the shipping company unexpectedly decided to skip this harbor, and unload the containers in Zeebrugge, without stating when they would be brought to Southampton.”
Unfortunately, it is completely unpredictable how the situation of the seafreight levels will develop in January, leading up to Chinese New Year (CNY). Things are always busy leading up to CNY, but it is certain that the currently expected rush will be unparalleled, to an extent that we have never seen before.