Coronavirus: Freight Update 9th April 2020

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, freight and shipping are a constantly moving picture at the moment. If you have missed the daily posts on LinkedIn this week, we’re bringing you a weekly roundup on our blog to help your business.

If you are not following us on LinkedIn – please find us here

The areas we’re covering in relation to freight and Coronavirus:

Trucks in Europe:

The good news is EU & UK borders are operating normally, freight vehicles moving freely.

Eurotunnel and ferries are operating full schedules. Depots in Europe remain fully operational with some countries restricting goods transport. Non-essential industries are closed or suspending production so these volumes are missing.

We are monitoring these changes closely in order to react quickly to your requirements if schedule adjustments are needed. Frequent departures are being maintained to secure supply chains.

Advice: Please check each individual order to make sure your client is open. If this is the case then we will continue to operate our collection service in the UK as normal.

Sea Freight Update

Ocean Freight update. Despite varying degrees of lockdown, worldwide sea freight remains operational. The ports in the UK are reporting good service.

The Far East all ports and landside operations are working as normal.
Indian Sub-Continent, lockdowns in place from March to April varying in length causing varying levels of activity in some cases slow and limited.

USA full load imports unchanged Eastbound services in place.

Far East intermodal integrity remains good

Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East and South Africa varying degrees of lockdown March to April. Ports and customs mainly operational.
If you have a specific requirement then please call for further information 02476 343037
If you need any help planning sea freight, call us or contact us.

Air Freight Update:

Air freight up-date – it’s still possible to move freight by air, but it’s more difficult than you may normally be used to…

There is an acute shortage of lift at a time of high demand due to the majority of carriers closing down or making big cuts in their passenger networks. To help address the needs of our customers we are working closely with our long-term carrier partners. At an unpredictable time, we are unable to hold lead times at their applicable rate, alternatively, charter space will be offered at the market rate when available.

This situation is constantly evolving and our team is keeping up to date with the latest information. If you need any specific information more help or advice about your air freight shipments then give us a call.

Free Online Workshops and Calls with Independent Freight

We recognise that this is a stressful time for you, so we’re running workshops online to help you plan and learn more about customs and freight. We’re finalising content and will be launching the workshops for booking on Eventbrite very soon!

We are also offering a free freight consultation via video – we understand that you may have a lot of burning questions that would like answered, so please get in touch – we’re here to help you and your business at this time.

If you need any further help and support or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about our workshops or a free consultation.

Coronavirus – Freight Update. 1st April 2020

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, freight and shipping are a constantly moving picture at the moment. If you have missed the daily posts on LinkedIn this week, we’re bringing you a weekly roundup on our blog to help your business. If you are not following us on LinkedIn – please find us here

The areas we’re covering in relation to freight and Coronavirus:

1. Trucks in Europe
2. Air Freight Update
3. Free online workshops
4. Sea Freight Update
5. Video consultation with Independent Freight

Trucks in Europe:

Road Freight Update: to and from Europe. Whilst it is possible to move freight around by road, this is an ever-changing picture by the day, with severe delays on some of the borders between EU states.

As always – we suggest at this time to plan your schedules more than ever and talk to our team to help you minimise delays where possible.

One example of current delays: according to information from the Slovak Government Authorities, Slovakia is currently closing its borders with the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Austria, to freight vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, due to bottlenecks and resulting traffic jams which have accumulated since Monday morning at the Hungarian borders. If you need to discuss road freight, please call us to look at your best options.

Air Freight Update:

Air freight up-date – it’s still possible to move freight by air, but it’s more difficult than you may normally be used to…

There is an acute shortage of lift at a time of high demand due to the majority of carriers closing down or making big cuts in their passenger networks. To help address the needs of our customers we are working closely with our long-term carrier partners. At an unpredictable time, we are unable to hold lead times at their applicable rate, alternatively, charter space will be offered at the market rate when available.

This situation is constantly evolving and our team is keeping up to date with the latest information. If you need any specific information more help or advice about your air freight shipments then give us a call.

Sea Freight Update

Sea Freight is still operational:

In most cases, ports and transport providers are maintaining normal working conditions. Capacity is being reduced by some carriers, however, we can support your business on most of the major freight shipping lanes. Equipment and vessel space shortages are being experienced in the UK for export but we are working with all carriers and Customers to overcome these issues.

Manufacturing in China has broadly returned to normal as have a number of other Asian countries.

Shipping to the USA and Canada is still operational. Some ports are operating at shorter working hours and prioritising medical goods, but there is no real issue in getting freight into the country.

Europe – expect some delays at Italian ports due to reduced staffing levels.

If you need any help planning sea freight, call us or contact us.

Free Online Workshops and Calls with Independent Freight

We recognise that this is a stressful time for you, so we’re running workshops online to help you plan and learn more about customs and freight. We’re finalising content and will announce that soon.

We are also offering a free freight consultation via video – we understand that you may have a lot of burning questions that would like answered, so please get in touch – we’re here to help you and your business at this time.

If you need any further help and support or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about our workshops or a free consultation.