The latest data shows that so far, there have been more than 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally, and more than 134,000 deaths. WHO: The epidemic has not reached its peak yet. According to incomplete statistics, at least 105 countries have entered a state of emergency or closed down the country or city. Foreign trade orders are cancelled, logistics and transportation are blocked, ports are closed, terminals are congested and backlogged, containers are stranded… Foreign trade freight forwarding companies are experiencing an unprecedented storm.
The epidemic is raging around the world and has not stopped at all. Currently, many ports in Europe and other countries severely affected by the epidemic have There is chaos, port operation hours are reduced, no one is available to pick up the goods at the destination port, and buyers frequently abandon the goods.
105 countries around the world have declared a state of emergency
Faced with the increasingly severe epidemic situation, countries have stepped up prevention and control efforts. More than 105 countries or regions around the world have successively declared a state of emergency, and some countries or regions have also adopted measures to “lock down the country” and “lock down the city”.
Today, the epidemic has affected more than 200 countries and regions around the world. These policies have also directly led to the interruption of production, logistics and transportation in many factories, and the global industrial chain has encountered huge challenges.
Severe backlog at European ports
Financial Times website 4 A report titled “European Ports and Warehouses Usher in Container Surge” published on March 12 stated that in the next few weeks, European ports and warehouses will face a backlog of finished products. Container ships departing from Asia before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived at their destinations. However, the Queen discovered that the demand no longer existed.
“No one wants the goods when they arrive in Europe. That’s the problem. There will be a backlog at the port. “Five weeks’ worth of goods,” said Lars Jensen, CEO of the Danish “Sea Intelligence” consulting company. “Importers will face a situation where warehouses are full and a lot of goods need to be sent out, and they simply cannot sell them.”
Logistics companies are understaffed as employees become sick or self-isolate, and buyers of goods are unwilling or unable to receive previously ordered goods for fear of cash flow difficulties caused by the economic slowdown.
Three-quarters of the goods entering the EU travel by sea, and 30% of intra-EU trade is transported by ship. As a result, a shutdown at a marine terminal can quickly ripple throughout the sales network. Shipping companies such as France’s CMA CGM have proposed unloading cargo in advance at transfer stations, such as Piraeus in Greece and Algeciras in Spain on the way to Europe.
The European epidemic is showing signs of improvement. Are many countries easing restrictions and planning to unblock them?
After nearly a month of “city closures” and “football bans”, the spread of the epidemic in some European countries has slowed down. According to a report by British Sky TV on April 7, Austria, Denmark, The governments of Norway, the Czech Republic and other countries have announced this week that they plan to gradually lift the social blockade measures implemented due to the new crown pneumonia epidemic. Italy, Spain, Germany, France and other European countries where the epidemic is relatively severe are also planning how to “unblock” the epidemic.
Many European countries have successively announced plans to gradually “unblock” the lockdown. According to the British “Sun”
India announced that it will extend the national blockade period to May 3, and major ports are blocked Hong Kong is serious
India, the world’s second most populous country, is entering an “explosion period” of the epidemic. India has a large poor population and a relatively weak health care system. The epidemic trend in India is very worrying. As the epidemic in India further develops, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday (April 14) that the nationwide lockdown will be extended by nearly three weeks to May 3.
The latest official data from India shows that there were 1,211 new infections in India in the past 24 hours. The total number of confirmed cases rose to 10,363, while before the 21st, this number was 519. Although the United States is the real “epicenter” of the current epidemic, the WHO has warned long ago that the final direction of the global fight against the epidemic will largely depend on the situation in India.
Since India announced its lockdown on March 25, India’s major ports have basically been at a “shutdown” state! According to foreign media reports, due to no one to pick up the goods and truck drivers returning home, more than 50,000 containers are not cleared at container ports and freight stations such as Chennai, Kamajarar and Kattupalli in India. Major ports and freight stations are extremely congested!
Due to severe port congestion in major ports in India and the sharp decrease in cargo volume, many shipping companies including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO Shipping, CMA CGM, etc. have also Announced targeted measures and will implement the port jumping plan. Recently, there are foreign products exported to India.��, Freight forwarding partners, please tell each other and be sure to pay attention!
At present, in addition to India, France, Italy, Ireland, Nigeria, Spain, South Africa, Hungary, Jordan, etc… many countries around the world have extended their blockade orders!
There is no one to pick up the goods at the destination port, and the risk of abandoned goods increases
Foreign trade What should freight forwarding companies do?
Currently, the COVID-19 epidemic has had a serious impact on international trade practices and the interests of Chinese import and export companies.
If foreign importers increase the difficulty of customs clearance, cancel orders, or refuse to accept goods due to local government quarantine or market reasons, causing the goods to be detained, returned, or destroyed at the port of destination, it will inevitably Affect the interests of Chinese export enterprises. At this time, what should Chinese export companies do?
Once foreign importers abandon the goods or refuse to take delivery, it will not only cause the exporter to bear large amounts of freight, demurrage, Warehousing fees and other related expenses will also cause export goods to be returned or significantly depreciated in value. Therefore, when foreign importers have no one to pick up the goods or abandon the goods, how to deal with it and protect their own rights and interests to the maximum extent is also a key concern for exporters. </p
