SIMIC

The report - WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer - authored by Port Economics members Theo Notteboom and Thanos Pallis shows that Covid-19 pandemic has impacted ports differently according to the regions. Cancellations, mainly on routes to the Far East, are clearly affecting container ships.

Eight per cent of ports faced a significant drop, over 25 per cent in containership calls. Ports reporting reductions of more than 25 per cent in calls in the cargo ship category increased to 16 per cent; less than half of the ports mention that the number of calls of other cargo ships is fairly stable compared to a normal situation.

In North America, boxship calls have deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks. Last week, 71 per cent of ports responding to the survey have experienced a five per cent-25 per cent reduction in container ship calls, a figure well above the world average.

However, the WPSP Covid-19 working group expects a recovery by the beginning of June for some ports in Asia in terms of container shipping services, with a corresponding positive impact six to eight weeks later in regions such as Europe and North America, reports Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.

"We are beginning to see some lines reintroduce services on the main east-west routes that they had previously neglected. We have also received reports from East Africa of a return of liner services out of Asia this week, which is a positive development," explained Mr Notteboom.

North American ports are experiencing fewer delays in inland transit and greater availability of port workers. The hinterland transport situation in that region is, on average, much less disrupted than it is worldwide, particularly for trucks entering and leaving port areas. Except for railways, the number of ports that have faced hinterland transport disruptions has remained below 20 per cent.

In addition, North American ports generally report few problems with the availability of port workers.

"The members of our WPSP Covid-19 working group have given us a unique insight into the changing impact of the contagion on ports in different regions of the world. We now see Asian ports fully operational and with promising signs in terms of recovery," said IAPH director general Patrick Verhoeven.

"European ports are gradually returning to the 'new normal', while ports in regions such as South America and Africa are having to adapt to the contagion, which in many cases is reaching its peak there," he said.