Critical Ningbo issues and Southern China port suspension

The container shortage that is currently impacting Asia supply chains, has led lines to stop accepting shipment bookings from Ningbo, while the suspension of Southern China feeder operations, because of COVID, will impact key ports until after Chinese New Year 2021.

Due to the severe lack of container equipment in the Ningbo area, shipping lines have stopped accepting bookings, until more empties have been repositioned. 

Liner contacts in the UK and China have both confirmed the situation. It is expected that  this is a port where bookings or rates cannot be provided for the coming weeks and probably into January 2021.

Southern China feeder halt

China’s strict trade rules mean that the global shipping lines must use domestic Chinese operators to feed cargo from Hong Kong and Southern Chinese ports. 

Increasing COVID cases in Hong Kong and quarantine restrictions in China has led feeder operators to reduce numbers of operating vessels and crews. 

In a customer advisory, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) said the COVID outbreak has led to feeder services being suspended in southern China and Hong Kong, from about the 20th January to the 22nd February. 

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has also issued a customer advisory confirming that coastal feeder services running between South China and Hong Kong will be suspended from mid-January to the end of February 2021. 

ONE are temporarily suspending the acceptance of cargo bound for ports in the South China area and Fujian (see list below) through South China main ports with the estimated arrival date to the main ports of 5th January to 23rd February.

Xiamen, Fuzhou, Fuqing, Quanzhou, Hainan, Guangxi and “Pearl River Delta” area including but not limited to Beihai, Chiwan, DachanBay, Fangcheng, Guigang, Haikou, Qinzhou, Shekou, Shenwan, Wuzhou, Xiaolan, Xinhui, Yangpu, Yantian, Zhanjiang, and Zhongshan Port Authority Terminal 

The suspension impacts all types of equipment including including hazardous, reefer, and awkward cargo.

Metro continue to monitor the container market from Asia on a daily basis and we will continually advise on new developments. We will always provide all options of work arounds regardless of the challenges. Please contact Ian Barnes or Grant Liddell for further information and latest advisories.