China imposes 14-day quarantine for crews of vessels from 13 countries

China has imposed a 14-day quarantine for crews on vessels from 13 countries, including the United States, France, Japan and Germany. The measure aims to prevent the entry of people infected with the new coronavirus into the country. According to information from the China Maritime Safety Administration, the restriction will affect around 7,000 crew members on board almost 500 ships that arrive at Chinese ports every day. Local private consultants fear this may negatively impact world trade.

The Secretary of Commerce and International Relations of the Agriculture Ministry, Orlando Ribeiro, stated that the measure will not influence Brazilian agribusiness exports to China. “There is no shortage of containers and Brazil is not on the list of countries subject to the 14-day quarantine”, he pointed out. According to him, so far the Brazilian government has not been subject to any measure that could harm Brazilian exports to China or any other destination.  He stated that the logistical costs of the new restrictions may have a smaller effect on Brazilian exporters than its main competitors.

But Brazilian agricultural attachés in China issued a statement that highlights the possibility that the measure implemented by the government of Xi Jinping could generate new negative impacts on world maritime logistics.  The text states that a new wave of voyage cancellations is expected and this could result in a “temporary decrease in cargo shipping capacity, with increased freight prices, even when China and the rest of the world begin to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic “.

In the statement by Brazilian attachés there was a comment from a Chinese consultancy recommending logistical planning in advance “as there may be a lack of space on ships as soon as economic activity resumes”.

The foreign vessel quarantine affects crews from the United States, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The measure is in force at major Chinese ports, including Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan.

Source: Valor Econômico

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