Of the seventy-six ports surveyed across the globe in this week’s IAPH-WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer Report, the majority reports a relatively stable situation compared to the previous weeks, with slight improvements noted in some areas of port continuity.
Compiled by PortEconomics members Theo Notteboom and Thanos Pallis the fourth edition of the weekly IAPH-WPSP Port Economic Impact Barometer Report, published every Friday, covers worldwide port developments in Week 18 (20-27 April) 2020.
Week 18: Stabilisation and minor improvements
Fewer delays are being reported due to port call procedure changes. In terms of capacity in ports, including warehousing and distribution activities, we see an improvement compared to last weeks, with limited capacity shortages for foodstuffs, medical supplies, and consumer goods. For bulk goods, there is a growing number of ports even reporting underutilization. Notably, there have been no significant increases in restrictions on cargo vessels, with some ports now receiving cruise ships via dedicated anti-COVID 19 safe corridors using temperature control and medical inspections to allow the crew to reach their own final destinations.
On the intermodal side, some ports are suffering additional complications for cross-border cargo transits. Overall though, rail, barge,
and truck availability have improved across the majority of ports surveyed. There has been a slight uptick in shortage of dockworkers, technical nautical services personnel, and the incidence of staff being placed on social wage schemes.
Barometer co-author Professor Theo Notteboom commented: “In quite a few countries, several industries will head back to work on May 4. It remains to be seen what adjustments ports will need to make, and what will be the effect of this partial ‘reopening’ of the respective economies.”
