Under the lockdown that started on March 14, public services
and daily supplies are operating. However city transportation has been
suspended.
The regional container hub, Yantian International
Container Terminal announced that it maintained normal operation since the
escalation of local Covid-19 prevention and controls and is making great
efforts to keep the supply chain running smoothly in Great Bay area, as
well as the materials supply supporting Hong Kong.
A Covid outbreak last year in Yantian port that closed
around two-thirds of capacity for a three-week period sent shockwaves through
the supply chain.
Chiwan container terminal and Dachan Bay terminal also
reported stable port operation amid the current situation.
Shipping lines Maersk and OOCL said in customer advisories
that the three ports were working normally.
However, landside logistics are likely to see
delays. Maersk said: “The overall landside transportation situation is
dynamic subject to change. Trucking service for now is still available
providing the drivers hold negative Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) report requested by
local governments. We foresee the overall trucking operational efficiency will
be reduced significantly due to the frequent NATs, especially in Hong Kong,
Shenzhen, West Pearl River Delta, Shanghai, Yangtze inland ports, Qingdao and
Tianjin.”
Several local logistics parks and warehouses announced that
they have suspended cargo exit and entry business and are under close-off
management. Maersk said warehouses in Shenzhen remained closed from 14 –
20 March.
Foxconn, which manufacturer iPhones, has halted operations
of its factories in Shenzhen.
China is maintaining a strict zero-Covid policy, which is
facing a major test with growing Omicron variant outbreaks.
