Port Updates & Inbound Delays
During the winter months, the Chilean ports at San Antonio and Valparaiso are often closed due to severe weather. Beginning this month, winter transportation schedules restrict daily transit operations to just 12 hours. We anticipate delays at these ports as operations slow to accommodate the unpredictable weather.
Belgium’s trade unions orchestrated a strike on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Antwerp’s port operations were impacted, with delays experienced that compounded existing congestion, operational backlogs, and limited yard capacity across multiple terminals.
Inbounding Delays
In Update #23 we noted the increasing volume coming into ports and our warehouse partners. Over the past week we have seen our warehouses’ inbound timeline move from their standard 2 business days to nearly 4.
Current inbound volume is up 100% from normal levels for this time of year.
The current situation is due to the pause in shipping in early April due to tariff concerns, followed by everyone pushing forward with shipments mid-late April. This is combined with importers loading up prior to the possible reinstatement of 20-50% tariffs (depending on the country) for the rest of the year.
We know this has been difficult for our customers over the last week or so as you are waiting on inventory for sales. We see this uptick lasting for the next couple of weeks and hope it does not impact our warehouse partners further.
Heat Waves
A reminder that we ship reefer during the summer, and notwithstanding the temperatures across Europe and in New York and New Jersey have been insane this past week, our reefer containers and trucks are keeping your wine cool.
Ensuring ready – dates
This July, will be the most challenging in recent memory when it comes to ordering wine. The looming tariff increase, paired with EU producer holiday closures, is forcing tough decisions for US importers. For importers who are waiting for more information as the tariff pause deadline of July 8th draws near, the buying decision is more difficult than ever.
Please ensure you communicate with your producers about inventory availability if you need to make any quick purchases. Orders placed less than three weeks prior to producer closure dates are at risk of not being picked up in time, so please plan ahead.
We urge you to confirm your wine is ready at your producer prior to submitting your PO. |
