Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) is offering a 50% discount on container storage fees to help alleviate the impact of the month-long lockdown on shippers.
The operator of eight terminals in Shanghai will offer the discount on all incoming heavy containerised cargoes, both from overseas and other Chinese ports. However, the discounts do not apply to reefer cargoes.
SIPG stated that it has been implementing solutions to circumvent the challenges caused by the lockdown, and results have been seen.
Shortly after the lockdown began on 28 March, a container “land-to-water” service was launched, involving shippers transporting their containers to Taicang port, which will then barge the containers along the Yangtze River to Shanghai. So far, more than 2 million TEUs have been moved along this service.
Notwithstanding SIPG’s efforts, liner operators are continuing to blank sailings.
In an advisory released on 26 April, Ocean Network Express (ONE) said that Shanghai’s terminal operations remain impacted.
“Whilst the situation persists, the terminals are working tirelessly to improve the situation, and we expect the reefer yard situation to start getting better, though the trucking and laboUr shortages remain a challenge,” said Singapore-headquartered carrier.
ONE is therefore waiving fees for shippers who wish to divert their cargoes from Shanghai, or cancel export sailings from Shanghai.
Furthermore, freight forwarder GEODIS said that congestion at Shanghai ports is starting to ease up, and certain dangerous goods are being accepted for storage again. GEODIS however, noted that shippers who need to get their goods into Shanghai urgently are advised to consider diverting the cargoes to other Chinese ports.
“Due to the continuous decrease in export volume, shipping lines are announcing more blank sailings and omissions out of China in the coming weeks. This move is to ensure stable market freightage,” added the French company.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
