The port of Yantian of the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen is experiencing handling difficulties. The reason is strict corona measures due to rising infection rates around Shenzhen.<\/p>\n
The ports of Shekou (Shenzhen) and Nansha (Guangzhou) are also currently experiencing handling difficulties, according to a recent article in the Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung (DVZ). According to the article, following the Suez Canal crisis, there is already another significant disruption in maritime supply chains.<\/p>\n
The F.A.Z. even titles its corresponding article “Mega traffic jam paralyzes world trade”. It says that half of the traffic in the container port of Yantian is paralyzed. In addition, the F.A.Z. writes, referring to various ship trackers, that 84 freighters were recently at anchor there for days and weeks.<\/p>\n
The DVZ refers to an estimate by the online freight exchange Freightos, according to which productivity in Yantian has plummeted to 30 percent. To this it notes that the queues of ships in front of the ports are getting longer and longer. According to DVZ, liner operators report delays of up to 16 days.<\/p>\n
The renewed capacity shortage can already be seen in the freight rates, DVZ also reports. The magazine refers to developments in various indices, such as the Shanghai Index SCFI for spot freight on 13 routes ex Shanghai. Accordingly, this index was already at a record level last Friday.<\/p>\n
In some expert circles it is assumed that the problems will continue for a while. The news service Eurotransport.de, for example, refers to statements made by Vincent Clerc, Managing Director of AP Moller-Maersk for the Ocean & Logistics division, to the online portal Seatrade-Maritime News. According to Clerc, the situation in Yantian has already lasted several weeks and there is no end in sight for the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
The DVZ article includes a quote from Carsten Knauer, Head of Logistics\/SCM at BME: “The pandemic has not yet been defeated and we will have to live with Corona for quite some time.”<\/p>\n