COVID-19 Global Shipping Update

The global situation due to the impact of COVID-19 becomes more critical by the day. Many countries have put restraints on their borders and the mobility of their citizens in order to stem the spread of this virus. The primary goal of every entity is to keep their country populations as healthy as possible, and we are seeing measures taken all over the world in order to do so. During this time of caution, the global supply chain is experiencing some delays and lack of equipment availability. Governments in both Italy and Germany have placed their countries in a “shutdown” status limiting the number of open stores and people going to work. While our offices and the carrier offices in both locations are still fully functioning, some are working with limited staff or have set up offices in their homes. We have reports of inter-European travel delays as truckers must have their temperatures taken at every border crossing. While equipment is still available at most ports, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to come by and prices for some inter-European trucking rates have skyrocketed. Additionally, vessels from Europe remain overbooked despite the crisis and as previously mentioned, some carriers are announcing equipment imbalance surcharges.

Attached is a comprehensive report on freight and passenger transport around Europe that outlines the measures each country is taking to stop this global spread. The industry is doing its upmost to contain this virus, and we must all accept the subsequent delays and sacrifices that will most likely be a part of these measures. Global trade will still continue, and we will do what we can to streamline our customer’s shipments as much as possible. As always, please contact us if you have any questions or concerns, and please stay healthy. We will send out daily updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the industry and keep all of our members as informed as possible.