Shanghai Announces Measures to Speed Up Port Services

Shanghai introduced time-limit standards for port services, detailing how long trucks, ships and other cargo may remain at port, according to a March 23 Hong Kong Trade Development Council report. Shanghai is requiring at least 90% of trucks to complete the delivery or pick-up of containers within one hour, the report said, and certain vessels, depending on their capacity, must “complete their operations” within 12 hours, 24 hours or 36 hours of berthing at the port. Shanghai also announced measures that shippers can take before arriving at the port, to speed up the process, including online appointments for picking up cargo and inspection appointments. China has reportedly increased scrutiny of incoming cargo vessels as it tries to control the coronavirus outbreak, leading to unloading delays and backlogs of hundreds of thousands of containers (see 2003190041).