The impact of Covid-19 on business and global financial markets is unprecedented. What was considered a ‘China Problem’ only a couple months ago has disrupted, to say the least, all lives on virtually every continent.
Just as quickly as the the effects of the disease has spread, that is how quickly things are changing in the supply chain. Literally circumstances are change hourly. All SEWW locations and affiliates are operational and supporting all aspects of the supply chain.
Here is a current, albeit brief, overview of what is happening in our field of service. Note, some locations are more organized than others on how the government in each country is handling the situation:
CHINA: All operating normally. Container availability is tight due to lack of containers returning but mechanisms are in place to keep things moving.
BRAZIL: Essential services, such as logistics are operational. Operations personnel working from home. There are delays in management of information from carriers as well as with scheduled sailings.
INDIA: All ports are operational. Customs and Port staff are at 5%, so sailing delays are expected. Essential services are open and functioning. Country wide quarantine on non-essential goods and services until April 14. Some ICD’s are shut, more clarity is still required. Operations personnel working from home.
ITALY: All ports are operational. All business/factories that produce NON-LIFE-ESSENTIAL GOODS, are closed until April 6 or further notice. There are some exceptions, please communicate with your supplier contact to confirm their operations. Operations personnel working from home.
PORTUGAL: All ports are operational. Operations personnel working from home. There are delays in management of information from carriers as well as with scheduled sailings. Additionally, at the moment there is a potential for truck shortages due to empties not returning to Portugal. Carriers are only making available trucks for export with cargo guarantee back to Portugal or, alternatively, the collection of the value on the export that guarantees the empty return of the truck to Portugal. Please plan accordingly.
SPAIN: All ports are operational. Operations personnel working from home. There are delays in management of information from carriers as well as with scheduled sailings.
THAILAND: All operating normally. Container availability is tight due to lack of containers returning but mechanisms are in place to keep things moving.
TURKEY: All ports are operational. Operations personnel working from home. There are delays in management of information from carriers as well as with scheduled sailings.
UK: All ports are operational. All business/factories that produce NON-LIFE-ESSENTIAL GOODS, are closed until April 6 or further notice. There are some exceptions, please communicate with your supplier contact to confirm their operations. Operations personnel working from home.
VIETNAM: Essential services, such as logistics are operational. Operations personnel working from home., things are moving but slowly.
As noted, some regions are experiencing container shortages. Some of the carriers have started to impose Container Imbalance Surcharges in the neighborhood of $300/Ctr. Additionally, IMO2020 and Fuel continues to fluctuate monthly..
Know we are here to help. Please contact your South East World Wide, Ltd. Sales Representative to discuss planning and operations to better manage your supply chain under these difficult circumstances.