The Ningbo Meidong Container Terminal, also called Meishan Terminal, has suspended all inbound and outbound services after an employee received a positive COVID-19 test on Tuesday, August 10th. The terminal is one of five in the port of Ningbo.

The closure restricts shippers from picking up empty equipment or gating-in containers. While some industry leaders indicate that there is opportunity to redirect the flow of cargo, they also warn of potential delays and congestion, citing the Yantian port partial shutdown from late May.

Some carriers have reported that their warehouses in the port’s free trade zone have been forced to close as well.

This terminal primarily serves the China-Europe trades, China-Middle East trades and the “OCEAN” Alliance services; Hapag-Lloyd, Cosco Shipping, OOCL, and Evergreen call at the Meidong terminal.

Shapiro is closely following developments as carriers and port operators accommodate the unexpected change.