Coronavirus Update - March 13

Countries around the world are taking unprecedented steps to reduce the number of infected citizens. From entire countries on lockdown to cancelling school and large crowd events; the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus has become a global pandemic.

President Trump addressed the nation this week banning all travel to European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was confirmed shortly after he spoke that the ban does not include cargo or American citizens who have undergone appropriate screening.

Supply chains all over the world have been impacted one way or another for the last two and half months, and those effects are expected to continue until the pandemic is under control. Cargo and passenger flights continue to be cancelled, blank sailings have increased and container and truck capacity in certain regions around the world is low.

Our operations teams are working diligently and will continue to offer alternative solutions to move your cargo in the most cost-effective and efficient way possible. All Allyn International regional offices are fully operational and will continue to support you as we navigate the current and future challenges.

China

• 80,945 confirmed cases, 64,195 recovered, 3,180 deaths
• Conditions continue to ease throughout mainland China. Authorities are lifting citywide lockdowns and the country
• is beginning to rebound
• 80 percent of factories are now open, operating between 30 and 60 percent of capacity
• Hubei is still experiencing truck restrictions and most enterprises are not in operation

Italy

• 15,113 confirmed cases, 1,045 recovered, 1,016 deaths
• Entire country on lockdown, roughly 60 million people
• All businesses were ordered to close except pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and public transit

Iran

• 10,075 confirmed cases,2,959 recovered, 429 deaths
• Top government officials are banned from leaving the country until further notice
• Outbreak has reached all of Iran’s provinces
• Kazakhstan closed its Caspian Sea ports of Aktau and Kuryk to ships carrying passengers from Iran

South Korea

• 7,869 confirmed cases, 333 recovered, 66 deaths
• Airports are operating normally, however many passenger flights have been cancelled.
• Raised the virus alert level to “red” – the highest level

Spain, Germany, France and the US have all seen a jump in the number of confirmed cases. Travel restrictions, school closures, public event cancellations as well as many other precautions are being taken. It is also recommended that people, if the option is available, are to work from home.

Global shipping costs are expected to continue to increase for several weeks. Several passenger flights have, and will most likely continue to be cancelled resulting in a decrease in available cargo capacity. It is advised that early booking will be beneficial not only for lower costs but also to secure space.

The following tables will provide the current transport operational status for heavily affected countries.

Air Transport – Updated 03.13.2020
* Wuhan airport has reported all flights are suspended until the end of March.
** Hefei airport has suspended all long-haul flights until further notice.
*** PVG is used as a back-up port and CK, KE, PO, OZ are operating freighters ICN/PVG

Ocean Transport –Updated 03.13.2020

• Although seaports are operational, it is important to contact the carrier to verify capacity as the number of blank sailings is increasing throughout the region.

Road and Rail Transport – Updated 03.13.2020

• All highways in China are toll-free until the end of June
• Possible delays continue due to continued driver shortages

As your logistics partner, we will continue to provide updates to help mitigate the impact of this global disruption.

If you have any questions regarding the impact of the coronavirus to your supply chain or need to develop a contingency plan, please contact your Allyn International account manager or email sales@allynintl.com.