CNBC reported late yesterday (Tuesday) that according to Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, the port has already experienced a 25% decline in February shipments with Q1 also trending a 15% decrease in volume. Mr. Seroka goes on to compare the economic impact of the coronavirus to the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the differences involved.

At the end of last week, American Shipper reported that the downturn in US container imports over the past few months through January 2020 was primarily due to the China Tariffs. But now the coronavirus offers new and ongoing impact.

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We are hearing reports that the Coronavirus is impacting shipments in parts of China.As business operations in many cities in China are returning to work after the Chinese New Year holiday on Monday 3rd February, several cities are now required to delay until at least the 10th of February.A news release by at least one Asian removal supplier indicates they are fully suspending operations in Wuhan and expects delays in reaching full operating capacity in other cities.Port Technology also reports yesterday that as the holiday is extended to 9 February in Shanghai, the world’s busiest container shipping port, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is hoping to avoid any port closure in China.

Public sector strikes in France have been active since early December.  The government’s recently planned pension plan was unacceptable to trade unions resulting in a French national port union calling for strike actions leading to the blockade of major ports. There have been industry reports, including AGS, advising to expect shipping delays over the coming days and weeks ahead. See more details on the strike efforts and the ports involved at:

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