The Coronavirus has now been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation as the number of people infected rises close to 10,000 cases and 213 confirmed deaths in China.  Two cases have now been confirmed in the UK.

Agents and brokers are reporting operations are slowing down at Chinese ports and shipyards as the Coronavirus takes its toll and the Lunar New Year holidays are extended. Despite an instruction from the Ministry of Transport yesterday urging port operators to keep ships moving, a lack of stevedores and truck drivers is slowing down vessel turnaround times, and storage yards are also beginning to clog up.

Further airlines have advised of amended schedules and cancellations, including freighter operators who are reacting to a lack of demand with factories not able to work to produce orders.

Our teams in China will be working from home through next week and talking to factories, transport operators, port and airports to feedback information through the coming days.

We have set up a senior management team to work with customs on predicted demand created by order delays and sourcing solutions to support them.

If you require any specific updates please do not hesitate to contact the Uniserve team by emailing us at info@ugroup.co.uk  

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