“Please note that these blank sailings also affect space on our Med, North Africa, East Africa, Middle East, Oceania and India subcontinent trades,” it said. For that reason, we will be expanding the scope of the congestion, adding also Ningbo,” it said in a customer advisory. “We recommend customers, when possible, to ship to other Chinese destinations or other markets in order to avoid the congested ports. This recommendation is in particular for transit time-sensitive, perishable, chilled commodities with a limited/short shelf-life, eg fruit/vegetables and frozen meat,” it added. The move comes despite a reported decision by Ningbo port to reduce its reefer tariff by 50% “until the end of the virus”.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 02, 2020 14:37 UTC