The Chinese press reports that the country's ports are operating normally despite new Covid-19 outbreaks in several port cities, refuting claims in foreign media that the latest wave of infections in China would push up global shipping costs. According to industry insiders, the majority of Chinese ports have witnessed several rounds of Covid-19 and they have already developed a port operation mechanism under epidemic situations, which has been practiced and improved and can help ensure smooth port operations. Some foreign media outlets have reported that more container ships are waiting off Qingdao port, citing the new Covid-19 outbreaks in China, which “add more delays to a strained global supply chain.” But, a person close to the Qingdao port, told the Global Times that at present there is little impact on port operation from the new Covid-19 cases. Truck drivers can pass smoothly on the basis of a normal body temperature test, negative nucleic acid test within 48 hours, green health code and travel code, and a vehicle pass for transport of key materials.
Qingdao port also provides multimodal transport, so that cargo unloaded at the port can be transferred directly to the railroad. Shenzhen's Yantian port in Guangdong province announced that it maintains normal operation, even though the city has taken strict anti-epidemic measures to rein in the latest outbreak. The port is also delivering supplies to Hong Kong, which is hit hard by Covid-19.
