Because the area to connect into electric power is full of cargo that vehicles can’t retrieve in the face of a citywide COVID shutdown, container vessel operators are ready to redirect reefer containers intended for Shanghai to other ports. The customer notices are the latest example of how the city’s severe movement restrictions are affecting imports and exports through the world’s largest container port and Pudong International Airport.
The slow pickup of cargo has resulted in long container dwell times, leaving less room to place arriving import boxes. Decreased terminal efficiency is forcing dozens of container vessels to wait at anchor for berth space, while others skip the port altogether. Import dwell times for containers at Shanghai marine terminals has increased nearly 75%, to eight days, since the lockdowns began, according to supply chain visibility platform project44. Export storage time has fallen, possibly because there are few new containers being delivered from warehouses.
CMA CGM on Friday urged cargo owners to identify alternative ports for delivering refrigerated containers in case port operators deny discharge due to the limited availability of electric plug-ins.
The ocean carrier said it will waive the administrative fee for customers that pay cash on delivery for reefers dropped in other ports. But shippers could be responsible for other charges, including storage and plug-in at the new port.
