COVID lockdown threatens Ningbo port closure

Ningbo port, the world’s largest, is struggling with another COVID-19 outbreak, that is increasing the testing of city workers, creating driver shortages and delays for trucks heading to the port’s container terminals.

It is reported that, following ten COVID-19 cases over the weekend, at a clothing factory in the district of Beilun, where some of the city’s busiest container terminals are located, parts of the district have gone into lockdown.

Ningbo Beilun Container Terminal (NBCT), Ningbo Beilun Second Container Terminal (NBSCT) and Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal (NBTCT) are located near the outbreak area of Beilun district. No positive cases have yet been reported in the terminals.

China’s zero-Covid policy has been subduing local outbreaks with testing, snap lockdowns and extensive quarantines, that has seen Ningbo go into three partial lockdowns, in the space of six months.

Current situation:

• Container load and discharge operations continue as normal in the three terminals.
• Container gate-in and gate out operations are only permitted through four high-speed intersections (Beilu, Chaiqiao, Guoju, Chuanshan) and one road between NBCT and NBSCT.
• Ningbo Bluedragon LongXing warehouse operations have been completely suspended until further notice and cargoes in warehouses will be hold until further notice.
• Ningbo Bluedragon LongFei warehouse remains open for vessel calls at Ningbo Beilun Third Container Terminal (NBTCT) and Ningbo Meishan Island International Container Terminal.

For warehouses located in unblocked areas, container loading is allowed for cargo existing in warehouse only. Therefore, new LCL shipments will be held or moved to other ports.

For full load shipments (FCL) a special permit is required for drivers to leave Beilun after picking up the empty container, such as getting twice negative nucleic acid test. 

Although some drivers are getting the permit, trucker shortages are increasing, since many from Beilun are under quarantine for 14 days or longer and factories out of Ningbo city are prohibiting truckers from Ningbo entering their city.

With many factories closing ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays, which can be as early as the middle of January, many shipments will be held or unable to ship before the holiday and carriers may cancel more sailings due to this situation. 

Our local colleagues advise us that the Ningbo port authority is working with the government for a special policy to ensure normal processing for container trucks to gate into the terminal, but it is anticipated that they will face difficulties.