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.

When South Africa was pulled out of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1961, the United Kingdom opposed monetary and economic sanctions. Britain had many key trade links and, in particular, needed South Africa’s gold.

Exports today include corn, diamonds, fruits, gold, metals and minerals, sugar, and wool. Machinery and transportation equipment make up more than one-third of the value of the country’s imports. The country’s diamond industry is the fourth-largest in the world, with only Botswana, Canada, and Russia producing more diamonds each year.

Among individual countries, China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, with imports and exports between the two nations totaling R263.9 billion in 2013.

The UK signed a continuity deal with six African nations – South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Mozambique – on 9 October. Trade between the UK and these six countries was worth £10.2bn in 2018. 

As we leave the EU and create a new independent UK trade policy, we will build further on our £9 billion annual trade with South Africa, our biggest trading partner in Africa, and champion free trade to help developing countries combat poverty and grow their economies.

The UK remains an important strategic partner for South Africa globally. South Africa and the UK have enjoyed mutually beneficial preferential trade since the entry into force of the first reciprocal trade agreement between South Africa and the EU in January 2000.

If you need to ship goods to South Africa we offer a range of Professional Freight Shipping Services via Sea, Air & Road. Our Dedicated Customer Services Team at Independent Freight and Hooper & Co who are always on hand to help and solve your problems quickly and efficiently. 

Call us to obtain a free quotation on:  +44(0)2476 343037