As the Coronavirus spreads to 30 countries it has yet to have a direct effect on shipping to South Africa. This is according to Neren Dayanand, Branch Manager, Durban at Turners Shipping.
“There is little immediate disruption as importers had made provision for the shut down over the Chinese New Year holidays in January. This will, however, change as we head into March,” he says.
Because of the virus, many factories and businesses in China have remained closed after the new year holidays with the true impact of the extended shutdown being felt late into the first quarter of the year.
“The supply of finished goods, components and raw materials from China will be disrupted and importers will have to find alternate sources in other countries which will have a knock-on effect on pricing,” said Neren.
BDP International, our logistics partner, has regular updates on the Coronavirus which can be found here: