(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 10 - The number of containers blocked in some of the most active ports in China is increasing day by day after the emergence of Covid-19 outbreaks among port workers, causing fear of an even more serious traffic jam than the recently in the Suez Canal with potential consequences on the time and cost of global trade. This was reported by the international media, noting in particular the blockade of the Yantian International Container Terminals in the port of Shenzhen, partially closed at the end of May and still subject to severe precautionary measures.
Efforts by local authorities to contain contagions, traditional infections and quarantines have led to a severe labor shortage and the disruption of the world's busiest container quarters is putting a strain on an already fragile global supply chain. Lenavi call at Yantian but the handling of the containers is suffering serious delays, forcing them to stop for up to five days.
"The worsening of South China's port congestion problem is becoming the latest major bottleneck and bottleneck in container shipping industry supplies," AndrewLee, an analyst at Jefferies in Hong Kong, said in a report. "This, we foresee,it will lead container rates to reach new historic highs in the short term. "
Maersk, the largest container line in the world, said the current productivity at Yantian's terminals is around 30% of normal levels. To avoid delays, the company and other shipping companies are diverting some of their ships to other terminals. (HANDLE).