We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Coronavirus delays international shipments amid closures and quarantines
Forward Thinking

Coronavirus delays international shipments amid closures and quarantines

January 29, 2020
Ben Ames
No Comments

Retailers and other shippers are bracing for supply chain delays on goods moved in and out of China as a growing number of airlines and ocean carriers freeze operations across the country's borders in the wake of a deadly virus outburst that has already killed scores of people and sickened thousands.

Thought to have originated in the wild animal food markets of the country's Wuhan city, the coronavirus causes pneumonia-like symptoms and is similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus that killed hundreds of victims in 2003 and was also sparked by human consumption of wild game in China.

In an effort to slow the flow of people and contain the outbreak by reducing the spread of infections, the Chinese government on Monday announced it had extended its traditional Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday through Feb. 2 in most places and through Feb. 9 in more affected regions such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Suzhou.

That move is significant for supply chains because workers in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and Korea traditionally celebrate the Lunar New Year by traveling to spend time with their families. That mass movement has already shut down factories and warehouses throughout the region, so extending the holiday will likely prolong delays in producing and delivering goods worldwide.

In addition to broad government policies, individual companies have also responded to the virus by changing their specific shipping schedules. Ocean carriers have said ports are still operational, but that customers should expect delays, according to an update to clients sent by Noatum Logistics, an Overland Park, Kansas-based freight forwarder.

For example, the container fleet giant Evergreen Marine Corp. has reported that all its terminal ship-side operations are normal except for Wuhan, the city where the virus originated, Noatum said. Evergreen's feeder service in and out of Wuhan and local terminal operations in Wuhan are both temporarily shut down due to the quarantine. Shipments already in route will be idled at other ports until the lockdown is lifted.

Commercial airlines are reacting likewise, with United Airlines saying it has canceled 24 flights between the U.S. and China during the first week of February, and British Airways canceling others.

In terms of the virus' impact on specific companies, the quarantine on Wuhan will have a ripple effect on corporations around the globe because the city is an important manufacturing center, ranking 13th of 2,000 cities in China that host factories, according to Bloomberg News. Overall, the city's province of Hubei is the seventh largest of 32 jurisdictions, containing 44 facilities run by U.S. companies and 40 more operated by European ones, including PepsiCo Inc. and Siemens AG, Bloomberg said.

One logistics company that has continued its flights to China is FedEx Corp., which has offered resources from its "Delivering for Good" charitable initiative, sharing expertise in shipping and logistics for communities in need.

On Monday, FedEx Express shipped more than 200,000 surgical masks and personal protective equipment such as gowns and gloves to its Asia Pacific Hub in Guangzhou, China to assist the response work of the humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief. To move the goods from the air hub to affected regions, FedEx is working closely with China Post, which will deliver the aid from Guangzhou to Wuhan Union Hospital, the company said.

"FedEx is proud to mobilize its global network to deliver aid, comfort and care to people suffering in the wake of this unprecedented health emergency," FedEx President and COO Raj Subramaniam said in a release. "We will continue to work closely with humanitarian and disaster relief organizations to provide support and deliver supplies, doing what we do best to help those who need it most."

Global Logistics Strategy Covid-19 Coverage
  • Related Articles

    Containers back up on Chinese docks as coronavirus triggers closures

    Commentary: Coronavirus-related cancellations and closures—How they could affect the supply chain

    Blizzard threatens northeast states amid vaccine shipments, holiday peak surge

Ben Ames is Editor at Large and a Senior Editor at Supply Chain Quarterly?s sister publication, DC Velocity.

Recent Articles by Ben Ames

FloorFound lands $10.5 million backing for its large-item returns network

CMA CGM to buy 9% stake in Air France-KLM and operate combined air freight fleet

GXO pairs with investment firm to back logistics tech startups

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Logistics pros warn of business impact from Russia-Ukraine war

  • Container prices continue to drop

  • How to resolve your inventory dilemma

  • Warehouse vacancy rates sink to 27-year low

  • Empty shipping containers stack up at U.S. port depots

Featured Video

Cccb7d13 710a 4473 8132 da8b6cc286f1

The Sportsman's Guide Case study: Increasing Accuracy & Productivity

Viewer Contributed
Thanks to the Lucas Warehouse Optimization Suite, The Sportsman's Guide has increased productivity, reduced training time, and experienced a boost in accuracy for both full-time staff and seasonal employees. Want to learn how Lucas can help your DC be more efficient, accurate, and safe while reducing labor costs?...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Omnitracs One – Last Mile Solutions

  • The enterprise shipper's guide to building a smarter truckload RFP

  • Fixed vs. Flexible Automation: Which Option is Better for 3PLs?

  • Enhancing Relationships in Logistics through Data & Collaboration

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing