AUTHORITIES at the port of Antwerp have been quick to point out that the coronavirus will not impact normal operations at this major European gateway this year, as no cases of the coronavirus have been reported in the port area so far.
Apart from the standard procedures, no additional measures are advised. In the meanwhile, the port of Antwerp is regularly following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), European Union, Federal Department of Health (Saniport) and Federal Department of Mobility.
All incoming ships must present a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH), which the master must submit 24 hours before entering the port, stating whether there are any actual or suspected cases of illness on board together with a list of the last ten ports.
The ship is checked for this by Saniport. If there are any suspicions, the ship may be obliged to remain off the coast and a doctor may go on board. The ship will not get a pilot and will not be permitted to enter port.
As a result of the coronavirus, there are currently 20 per cent fewer sailings in China. Worldwide, it is expected that it will lead to a one per cent reduction in container transport throughout 2020.
In the port of Antwerp, based on preliminary forecasts, it is estimated that a month of traffic to and from China will be lost as a result of the coronavirus crisis. This corresponds to 115,000 containers, or seven per cent of container traffic to and from China, according to a port statement.
China is the second trading partner for Antwerp after the US. Last year, container volumes from Antwerp to China jumped by 16 per cent to 1.39 million TEU.
WORLD SHIPPING
Apart from the standard procedures, no additional measures are advised. In the meanwhile, the port of Antwerp is regularly following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), European Union, Federal Department of Health (Saniport) and Federal Department of Mobility.
All incoming ships must present a Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH), which the master must submit 24 hours before entering the port, stating whether there are any actual or suspected cases of illness on board together with a list of the last ten ports.
The ship is checked for this by Saniport. If there are any suspicions, the ship may be obliged to remain off the coast and a doctor may go on board. The ship will not get a pilot and will not be permitted to enter port.
As a result of the coronavirus, there are currently 20 per cent fewer sailings in China. Worldwide, it is expected that it will lead to a one per cent reduction in container transport throughout 2020.
In the port of Antwerp, based on preliminary forecasts, it is estimated that a month of traffic to and from China will be lost as a result of the coronavirus crisis. This corresponds to 115,000 containers, or seven per cent of container traffic to and from China, according to a port statement.
China is the second trading partner for Antwerp after the US. Last year, container volumes from Antwerp to China jumped by 16 per cent to 1.39 million TEU.
WORLD SHIPPING