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Coronavirus Update

Everything you need to know to keep your supply chain safe

Helping you deliver what matters, safely.

The coronavirus COVID-19 has officially spread to nearly 40 countries worldwide. Wuhan, China, the central location for the outbreak has been under a government restricted lockdown as officials try to stop the spread. Other major cities in China including Chongquing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzen, and Xiamen are also taking additional precautions. Italy has also seen an alarming upsurge in the number of cases, as local governments have announced quarantines and other restrictions, along with numerous suspensions and cancelations within the region.

As such, the transportation industry has experienced significant disruptions as a result of the virus, with additional repercussions expected. With the recent announcement that ocean carriers have pulled 1.67m TEU of export capacity from China and ongoing flight cancellations by airlines, the ripple effects of COVID-19 are being felt throughout global supply chains as capacity constraints are expected to continue.

Here are the latest updates, at a glance: 

workers loading freight on to aircraft at sunrise

Impact on air transportation

Global supply chains will continue to feel the ripple effect of the virus as numerous air carriers have announced flights cancellations.

View the latest air updates
Cargo Ship Ocean

Impact on ocean transportation

While many ports remain open, carriers continue to announce blank sailings, reefer shortages, and forecasted capacity constraints.

View the latest ocean updates
people collaborate

Impact on employees

Our number one priority is the safety and well-being of BDP employees. As we continue to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, our offices in affected areas will continue BCP plans.

View BDP BCP Plans

BDP International is here to assist your business to better understand the potentially far-reaching effects of the coronavirus COVID-19 on global supply chains. 

There is little doubt that rates will become volatile and capacity will be at a premium for airfreight, while extended factory closures in China have created negative demand for ocean freight and increased blank sailings.  

Globe focused on China with blurred background

The situation is rapidly evolving, but we have deployed both short and long-term solutions to mitigate possible disruptions. 

What you can do now

  • Contact BDP to support the urgent move of your cargo via:

    • Rail to Europe (east to west)

    • Air charter support

  • Contact your BDP team to support any sourcing changes you may want to make

  • Contact your BDP team via the form below for more information

Planning ahead 

  • Prepare and share volume forecast based on the backlog with your providers asap

  • Focus on priority cargo knowing the high likelihood of rolled bookings

  • Avoid CFS consolidation due to the high likelihood of bottlenecks 

  • Use a single-source provider to coordinate customs, drayage, and freight

  • Expedite cargo at destination 

  • Adjust lead times within your systems given likely delays to production and destination screening

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Get in touch

Contact our Contingency Planning Team

The coronavirus has caused significant disruptions for the transportation industry. Contact us here to discuss short-term and long-term solutions.

Contact us