Several liner operators have suspended calls at Myanmar following the military coup on 1 February 2021, as the disruptions to road traffic have impeded trucking.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Taiwanese intra-Asia carriers Wan Hai Lines and TS Lines both said their ships are not calling at Myanmar. Additionally, transhipment of Myanmar-origin cargoes via Singapore or Port Klang in Malaysia has also been suspended.
TS Lines stated that the cargoes from Taiwan to Myanmar are not large, and it stopped accepting bookings for Myanmar-origin and Myanmar-bound cargoes around 9 February.
Container News was informed that the protests have caused truck operators in Myanmar to suspend trips between the Southeast Asian country’s main port of Yangon and other areas.
French liner operator CMA CGM has suspended receipt of freight payments in Myanmar and is encouraging customers to settle freight payment overseas with immediate effect.
Hapag Lloyd’s customer advisory, dated 19 February, alluded to the increasingly tense situation caused by civilians’ daily protests, which have resulted in the military shooting and killing at least three people. The coup saw the military deposing the civilian government.
The German liner operator said, “Operationally, the terminals in Myanmar are close to full capacity and feeder services, road transportation is limited, and with a number of factories and depots working with a skeleton labour force. With that, Hapag-Lloyd has taken the decision to temporarily suspend any Import bookings into Myanmar with immediate effect.”
Hapag-Lloyd said that it will strive to deliver cargoes that were already underway when it made the decision, although shippers can expect delays.
The company added, “We’re monitoring the situation closely on a daily basis and will update all once the situation improves.
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Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
