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The backlog of cargo in China, believed to have been brought about by the coronavirus, is beginning to free up.
According to reports on Friday in the South China Morning Post, the shortage of truck drivers to ferry containers in and out of the port, which caused the congestion, is improving as workers return.
Zhoushan in southern China is the third-largest container port in the world by annual handling capacity.
Port authorities there suggest the port had only 800 truck drivers working as of 12 February, not enough to handle normal port throughput. After port authorities offered food and accommodation support for returning drivers and chartered buses to facilitate their return, nearly 7,000 people returned to work by last Friday.
Surge
Processing rates at Zhoushan surged as a result, with up to 13,235 20ft-equivalent unit (TEU) containers clearing the port on Saturday, compared with only five TEUs six days earlier, according to Shanghai International Shipping Institute (SISI) data.
In the report, SISI director Xu Kai said: “The turning point has arrived … we are seeing that port congestion has eased and logistics start to revive.”
Reports from other ports in China also suggest improved flow of cargo through ports. While rates remain well below average, the improved flow is noticeable.
Fonterra
On Thursday, New Zealand milk processor Fonterra suggested there had been a slow-down in processing of containers at ports, but that they were managing the flow of product into China and avoiding congestion.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said: “Currently, our product is continuing to be cleared by customs and quarantine officials.”
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