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Updated: Shanghai ports still open but trucking disrupted

[ March 28, 2022   //   ]

Ports in Shanghai are so far still operating normally, following the start of the city-wide Covid lockdown which began on 28 March, reports forwarder Woodland Group. However, there is significant disruption to truck movements already, particularly from neighbouring provinces with trucks being forced to turn back on their way to Shanghai port.

While some FCL trucks are still running within Shanghai, LTL trucks are not allowed to enter Pudong. As a result, there will likely be a significant impact on LCL cargo, says Woodland.

Shanghai will be locked down in two stages over the next nine days with the eastern side of the city under strict lockdown until 1 April, following which the western part will be in lockdown from 1-5 April.

Public transport will be suspended, and businesses and factories will halt operations or work from home while the population undergoes several rounds of testing.

Far East forwarder Dimerco added that trucking operations into Shanghai airport were disrupted and that some airlines such as Cargolux had cancelled flights due to the lockdown. Dimerco had also suspended its operations at the Waigaoqiao Free Zone although airport and warehouse staff remained on duty.

Analysts VesselsValue reported on 29 March that there had been an almost five fold increase in the number of ships waiting to load or discharge at Shanghai in the last two and half weeks, although the brunt of the problem was being borne by bulk carriers and tankers. In fact, there were six fewer containerships in the queue than on 9 March.

However, supply chain managers around the world will need to start planning for knock on effects, it added.

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