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COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on operational processing in India

In order to contain the spread of Covid-19 virus, Government of India and authorities have enforced a three week ban with effect from midnight of 24 March 2020, which prevents all entries from Europe into, in addition to the already existing entry ban for visitors from several Asian countries. All offices and non-essential services will remain closed during this period.All DACHSER offices will remain close down during this period, until any further notice.

This will create a delivery restrictions in each product category:

Air:

  • LH has cancelled their freighters to/ from BOM due to no staff to handle the same at the airport. Staff are unable to reach work due to lock down and curfew
  • Other freighter operators like QR, EK, TK, CX etc. may soon follow suit, please check at your end for any import dispatches into India
  • Flights within India will also be stopped Mar 25 onwards until Mar 31

Sea:

  • There is a shortage of truck drivers and due to the curfew all transport is at a standstill
  • At Nhava Sheva port, except very limited import shipment which are essential supplies such as medication, no vehicles are being allowed in or out, so basically no import and export container movements taking place since this March 24
  • CFS labour did not report to work, goods vehicles could not move freely as such all activities - stuffing & de-stuffing at CFS' is at a standstill
  • Empty container depots are not working and combined with lack of trucks, no export pickups are possible.
  • The above may turn out to be the case in all other ports and ICDs in India in the next couple of days
  • Various associations have represented to the government to make sure the working of the CFS is not hampered as supplies like pharma and food stuff need to be imported for the country
  • All the vessels with the last port of call from China, Italy, Iran, Republic of  Korea, France, Spain,  Germany, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait to be quarantined for a period of 14 days from last port of call before they can be accepted at Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT)

Customs:

  • While documents can be filed online, any cargo requiring physical check before import or export is not possible due to travel restrictions and lack of both customs and brokerage staff.

Domestic:

  • All transportation services (air, road and rail) remains suspended across India, hence we are unable to provide any local transportation or CHA services until further notice

We understand that this may lead to an inconvenience till the time the situation eases, but  to maintain the larger interest of the nation, we would like to save everyone from potential risks & hence request your kind understanding on the same.

However, Our teams will be working from home and will be available during the office working hours and tackle all emails, calls and escalations promptly.

Please rest assured that we will keep you updated of any changes to the current situation. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your local DACHSER representative.

Thank you as always for your continued support. Hoping you, your families, and loved ones stay safe. Further details will be provided as the situation develops.

DACHSER worldwide
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Contact Ali Mahboob Digital Communications Manager Asia Pacific
+91 022 42328-247 mahboob.ali@dachser.com

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The development of the global ocean freight market showed a further deterioration at the end of 2021. Continuing unreliable schedules, COVID 19-related restrictions and overstretched port staff, do not lead to any relief at congested major ports worldwide. This situation will continue to challenge us for an extended period of time.
 
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  • Review 2021

In March 2021, the global shipping misery worsened with the Suez Canal incident of vessel ‘Ever Given’, that has caused hundreds of vessels being stuck for six days at the Suez Canal.
 
In the further course, pandemic-related disruptions in the global ocean freight market continued to dominate. COVID-19 outbreaks and terminal shut downs of several weeks at the port terminal of Ningbo in August, followed by lockdown situations at port Xiamen and Dalian led to delays of vessel schedules. Resulting in an increasing schedule instability and congested ports on important trade lanes to North Europe and the Transpacific.
 
The congestion situation at the US-westcoast ports Los Angeles and Long Beach had worsened during the year with tremendous berthing delays due to the transpacific imbalance as well as COVID-19-related staff shortages at the terminals.
 
The consumer demand grows due to economic recovery and funding programs which lead to an ongoing shortage of capacity and equipment. Huge backlog volumes are stressing supply chains even if consumer demand would get periodically softer.

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Europe - Far East
The space availability is improving while the equipment situation is still tense, especially in the inland depots. Carriers Equipment Imbalance Surcharges are still in place.

Europe - South America East & West Coast
Depending on the carrier, space is available, but subject to equipment. Yet it is still recommended, to place the bookings 6 weeks in advance. Peak Season Surcharge and Equipment Imbalance Surcharge are still in place.

Europe – Mexico
Services into Mexico are being impacted by port omissions on the US East Coast and Gulf. Capacity is tight and with no new or additional services, being added in the near future it is expected to remain.

Europe – Indian Subcontinent
Empty equipment situation in North Europe is further stabilizing in the ports; still high demand in the hinterland areas. Space remains available; carriers are trying to counterbalance the equipment stocks in India.

Asia

Port Congestion ASIA
·         Mainland China       Ningbo / Shanghai / Dalian / Qingdao / Xingang / 
                                           Yantian / Shekou / Nansha, Hong Kong: 7-10 days.
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·         Korea                       Busan / Incheon: 7-14 days
·         Indonesia                 Jakarta / Surabaya / Semarang: 2-3 days
·         India Subcontinent   Chittagong: 1-2 days. All other ports: no congestion
·         Malaysia                  2-3 days       
·         Singapore                2-3 days due port congestion.
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·         Taiwan                     Keelung / Kaohsiung / Taichung: 2-3 days
·         Thailand                  Bangkok: 5-7 days. Leam Chabang: no congestion
·         Vietnam                   Hiphong Export/Import: 4-5 days. Saigon Export: 7-10 days
 
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Far East - South America East Coast
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Indian Subcontinent – Europe
Empty equipment situation has not improved further. Space situation is still very tight, therefore it is recommended to place bookings 3-4 weeks in advance. Especially in South East India East equipment and capacity remains tight and the situation is not improving.

Transpacific Eastbound
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America

Transatlantic
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