New covid measures in China and the impact on transport

11. 4. updated:

The Lockdown in Shanghai is gaining momentum and is expected to last until the end of April. Further restrictions are being imposed on the roads with an increasing number of checkpoints. They make sure drivers have special permits for traffic, which are only valid for 24 hours and only apply to designated and approved routes. More than 90% of road capacity is out of service due to quarantines and strict restrictions. Most factories and warehouses are still closed. Although the Port of Shanghai continues to operate in a restricted mode, getting containers in and out is very difficult. Alternative ports such as Ningbo or Shenzhen are filling up and beginning to struggle with available container capacity.

There are major cancellations of international flights to Shanghai's Pudong airport. Import and export shipments from alternative airports, such as Zhengzhou, are delayed by several days due to queues forming. Nanjing airport is temporarily closed. At Quingdao airport, all import shipments are held for 10 days due to quarantine.

When everything reopens, it is expected that downstream infrastructure will again be overwhelmed and there will be related difficulties.

29. 3. updated:

The city of Shenzhen was open after the closure, but newly is closed city of Shanghai. The closure is planned in two parts, with the first part of Shanghai PUDONG closed from March 28 to April 1. After the opening, PUXI will be closed from April 1 to April 5. Where possible, shipments from affected zones are being rerouted to nearby airports and ports. Delays due to closures and quarantines are to be expected.

17. 3. 

In the Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian, the spread of covid-19 in the Omicron variant has occurred. The worst affected city of 17.5 million, Shenzhen, has been closed due to the emergence of 5,000 new cases. This is the highest number in 2 years. The city is expected to be closed for 7 days. Mass transit and the subway have been halted, but the terminal is operating. Drivers must present an antigen test, which must be no more than 24 hours old. They cannot enter or leave the terminals without it.

The Yantian port, which was also hit last year, is so far operating along with the other terminals. There is limited operation of warehouses and parts of the terminals. Direct impact on availability and service can be expected due to quarantines and restrictions.