Weeks of disruption at one of the world’s largest container terminals in southern China have put a huge strain on the already-stretched global shipping industry, worsening supply chain delays for manufacturers and retailers around the world.
Yantian terminal in Shenzhen closed for almost a week in late May after port workers tested positive for Covid-19; weeks later, productivity has only recovered to about 70 per cent of normal levels.
Yantian handles 13m 20-foot shipping containers a year, making it the third-largest terminal in the world. But congestion at the facility, operated by Hong Kong-headquartered Hutchison Ports, has spilled over to other nearby terminals such as Nansha and Shekou. Local authorities in the region blocked roads and closed off some business zones in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.