Partial Shutdown of World’s 3rd Largest Port from Covid Infection

China has partially shut down the world’s third-busiest container port after a worker tested positive with Covid-19. This threatens to disrupt global transportation as peak season nears.

On Wednesday, all inbound and outbound container services at Meishan terminal at the Ningbo-Zhoushan port was halted until further notice. This closed terminal accounts for 25% of the container cargo that goes through the port. According to Reuters, there were 40 container ships anchored off the coast of Ningbo on Thursday.

You may remember the recent closure of Yantian port in Shenzhen in late May due to the coronavirus. This month-long closure led to delays, congestion, and shortages all around the world. Industry experts are concerned that the latest port closure will further strain shipping and supplies of goods, dampen growth, drive up prices, and impact Black Friday and holiday shopping seasons. 

Sources:
1. China Partly Shuts World’s Third-Busiest Port, Risking Trade, Bloomberg, August 12, 2021. Accessed Aug 13, 2021.
2. Major container ports in eastern China see worsening congestion after COVID-19 cases, Reuters, August 12, 2021. Accessed Aug 13, 2021.