COVID-19: updates on DACHSER’s operations in China

Most branches are operating with skeleton staffing while the rest of our staff are working from home due to local hygiene and preventive measures.

Though our branches are open, operations are not resuming to full capacity yet. Traffic controls are in place throughout the country; other suppliers in the transport chain are also operating with limited staff and reduced capacity. The shortage of truckers is currently the major challenge.

Please excuse us for the delay in some processes, as most of the units in the supply chain within China are not functioning in full capacity.

Transport logistics in China

While we are trying our best to keep your supply chain as smooth as possible, please consider that other units in the supply chain did not resume full capacity yet. Carriers and terminals are gradually resuming operations with skeleton staff. Delays and other operational issues are expected.

Road:

• Lack of truckers is currently the major issue in China. The service is resuming with less than 50% of the usual labour supply;
• Inter-cities and inter-provinces trucking are especially challenging due to increasingly tightened regulations on road, making road journeys heavily delayed.

Railway:

• Rail carriers reduced departures from and to China in February;
• Railway platforms which are now closed, are expected to resume from March 2020, i.e. Yiwu and Zhengzhou, detailed schedule to be updated;
• Other status of railway remains the same, please refer to our last update;

Air:

• Airlines resumed freighters to and from China;
• Capacity is still an issue since many of the airlines suspended passenger flights;
• Charter services are available with guaranteed uplift and transit time for our customers with urgent shipment;

Sea:

• Shortage of truckers is the major issue;
• Increasing challenge on equipment supply;
• Carriers have reduced sailings to and from China;
• Westbound: Backlog is expected once the factories are fully back into operations, leading to shortage of truckers and space;
• Eastbound: Intense space shortage;
• Ocean terminals are operating, except Wuhan;

At DACHSER, we have contingency measures in place and will offer you the best alternative solutions to keep your supply chain running in case any shipment is affected. Please rest assure that we will keep you updated via our website. In case of any questions, please get in contact with your local DACHSER contact person.

DACHSER organizes special charters to China

In response to the restricted air freight capacity situation caused by COVID-19, DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics has drawn up a charter contingency plan. As a result, customers can currently rely on a robust and reliable premium flight service from Frankfurt to China.

National Strike on February 20, 27 and March 5

Find below the main impacts on air, sea freight and rail services:

• French ports will be on strike with 4 hours on February 20, 27 and March 5.
• Shortage of drivers have to be expected and some vessels have been delayed at the moment.
• Also alternative options like Antwerp are congested (trucking companies and shipping lines).
• Special equipment is lacking more than usual, we are facing 2/3 weeks delay.
• Rail services are not concerned
• Air freight is not concerned

Our operational teams will offer you the best alternative solutions and keep you posted on a regular basis of any development on your respective files.

Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your local DACHSER representative.

Further update on DACHSER’s operations in China

General status

Factories and businesses are resuming gradually, but very slowly. Authorities are working hard on containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, officially named by the World Health Organization. To prevent infection at workplace, enterprises are required to submit applications to local authorities before they are allowed to resume work. Applicants need to demonstrate they are observing strict hygiene requirements and are capable of providing adequate hygiene consumables to the workforce.

DACHSER branches

All DACHSER branches are operating. Some of the branches are closed while undergoing the application process, still, staff are working from home and the operations are handled remotely. Please excuse us for the delay in some processes, as most of the units in the supply chain within China are not functioning in full capacity.

• All DACHSER branches except Kunshan and Wuhan have resumed business with skeleton staffing in the office due to local quarantine procedures and preventative measures;
• Kunshan warehouse will re-open once approvals from the authorities are granted;
• Wuhan is closed and scheduled to re-open on February 24, subject to change depending on the situation;
• Most of our team members are working from home
• Hong Kong branch is fully operational. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise if our ability to operate is impacted.

Transport logistics in China

While we are trying our best to keep your supply chain as smooth as possible, please consider that other units in the supply chain did not resume full capacity yet. Carriers and terminals are gradually resuming operations with skeleton staff. Delays and other operational issues are expected.

Road:

• Lack of truckers, there is only a limited number of trucking companies having received permits to resume operation;
• Domestic trucking condition is challenging especially for inter-cities and inter-provinces due to increasing tightened regulations on road;
• Road access to Shanghai is heavily controlled which may affect delivery to Shanghai Port and Shanghai Pudong Airport;
• Transportation certificate is needed for trucks to enter or exit the Hubei Province;

Air:

• Airlines resumed freighter to and from China;
• Capacity is still an issue since many of the airlines suspended passenger flights;
• Charter services are available with guaranteed uplift and transit time for our customers with urgent shipment;

Sea:

• Carriers have reduced sailings to and from China;
• Ocean terminals are operating, except Wuhan;
• Lack of equipment starts to be an issue;
• Container trucking only resumes on average 50% of normal capacity;
• The US and Vietnam has quarantine requirements for vessels leaving Chinese ports.

Railway:

• Rail carriers reduced departures to and from China; some railway platforms (i.e. Wuhan, Yiwu, Zhengzhou) are closed until further notice;
• Rail terminals are operating except Wuhan (Wujiashan station吴家山站);
• Customs are operating except Wuhan (overtime could be reserved with application from brokers);
• FCL service on pre/on-carriage is a challenge due different policies of traffic controls applied by local authorities;
• LTL service is not available as most of logistics parks/distribution centers are closed; FTL service is available in ad hoc level;

At DACHSER, we have contingency measures in place and will offer you the best alternative solutions to keep your supply chain running in case any shipment is affected.

We will keep our customers updated with the latest information on the current situation. Should you have any concerns and/or queries, please feel free to contact your local DACHSER representative.