COVID-19 Disruptions Continue
Widespread disruptions continue, rapidly escalating in Europe. Uncertainty in the liner industry will require importers and exporters to expect challenging situations related to their ocean freight movements to and from the United States.
It is predicted that container shortages will continue globally as production in China returns to normal, bringing with it another wave of demand and congestion.
China
As China is returning to full production capacity, we have received reports that also the situation in various ports and terminals has mostly returned to normal. The exception is Xingang where manufacturing is still experiencing shortage of labor.
India
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare recently issued a SOP for cargo vessels clearing at JNPT. Vessels coming from COVID-19 affected countries will be screened and may be quarantined. The Ministry has sought a 14 days at outer anchorage or delay from the last port of departure prior to INDIA port call.
Direct services like the INDAMEX service connecting key ports in the Indian subcontinent the U.S. East Coast, may need to change the port calls to meet this criteria.
Germany
Demand is presently outstripping supply. Container traffic is currently not showing any major disruptions
Italy
There appear to be issues with equipment availability for containers. The trucking situation can be the biggest challenging as well. While truckers are allowed to pick up cargo and traverse the country, some individual drivers are electing to stay away from the hottest zones. A spontaneous strike had briefly shut down the Port of Genoa. Hundreds of trucks could not enter the terminal. Workers were worried that equipment has not been sufficiently disinfected. Truck traffic at the Austrian-Italian border (Brenner) was effected by road blocks causing a backlog in South Tyrol. Backlog should clear by end of the weekend.
Spain
Our partner informed that they presently experience booking delays for ocean freight shipments. It is recommended that container be booked several weeks in advance. Outgoing ships are reporting very high load factors.
Greece
Cargo for the US is currently loading without any interruption. Equipment is not in short supply.
U.K.
Reports of container shortages continue this week as pressure mounts on the demand increases. Spikes in air demand are also now beginning to show.
Janel continues to monitor the market and will be providing updates as the situation develops. We encourage our clients to call their local Janel office for most up-to-date information.