COVID-19 Global Logistics Update

 As we enter another week, the global logistics industry is constantly adapting to working around the COVID-19 restrictions. We have updates from our overseas offices and carriers regarding equipment availability, blank sailings, and extra precautions put in place to "flatten the curve." Please see below a recap of the most recent updates:

South Africa: Wine production and exporting can now proceed as the previously-reported ban was lifted yesterday.

New Zealand: Effective April 8, the Nelson port packing facility is unable to hand stack any containers. The Auckland port facility is still able to hand stack, but they require 72 business hours to do so, which is creating some delays and congestion at the ports. This is due to the strict regulations enforced by the NZ government to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and is in place until further notice. For many of you shipping from the Blenheim area, Nelson is the most convenient and cost effective facility to utilize so please note any goods transiting Nelson for packing must be palletized.

Norfolk Virginia USA Port: The Norfolk Port Authority put out a notice stating that they will begin temperature screenings  at the port on Thursday, April 9. The screenings will begin at Norfolk International Terminals and Virginia International and will be conducted using infrared no contact thermometers. All persons requesting terminal access will be screened including port colleagues, ILA members, harbor pilots, ocean carrier reps, etc. In the near future, temperature screenings will also be implemented at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal, Richmond Marine Terminal, and Virginia Inland Port. These screenings, while necessary for the protection of port personnel, could cause some congestion at the port, and it is not outside the realm of possibility that other ports will follow suit. We will report back if we see congestion issues ramp up due to this process.

New York/New Jersey Port: Congestion has been reported for goods moving out on the rail to the Midwest. One carrier reported average dwell time at the port prior to movement onto the rail at 18-19 days.  Please keep this in mind when planning your transit time and managing your risk. If you do not have any duration of risk clause in your cargo insurance policy, call WSSA and we can give you options to decrease your exposure.

Holiday Closures: Most global companies will implement closures in observance of the Easter holiday weekend. Most offices have enacted procedures to make sure cargo flows smoothly over the break as we continue to work to process cargo movement as needed during this crisis. If you have any questions about a particular office or location's closures, please let us know.

Cancelled Sailings: Several carriers have announced blank vessel sailings for the upcoming weeks primarily due to a downturn in bookings. We expect this trend to continue until for the foreseeable future while COVID-19 remains a force. If you have any questions about specific carriers or trade lanes, please feel free to reach out.

Panama Canal: The Panama Canal is in a low-water situation thus forcing ships to carry less cargo through the canal. Some carriers are implementing a surcharge to compensate for the low-water issue.

We are monitoring the situation constantly and will keep providing updates as we receive them.

Please feel free to contact us with any specific questions, and stay safe and healthy!