Ningbo terminal reopens after COVID-19 lockdown

Meishan Island International Container Terminal (MSICT) at Ningbo-Zhoushan port reopened on 25 August after a lockdown started on 11 August.

The terminal at one of the world’s largest container ports caused by a COVID-19 Delta variant infection detected from a worker at the port. China is operating on a zero COVID policy with strict lockdowns put in place when infections are detected.

According to a notice released by Meishan Bonded Area Port Affairs Administration, Meishan bonded area lifts the lockdown in the morning of 25 August.

All the units and companies in Meishan bonded area will fully support and handle the loading and unloading of stranded cargos while the import container pick-up services at Meishan terminal are gradually resuming.

Container line CMA CGM said in customer advisory that MSICT had resumed partial operations on 18 August with two of its vessels alongside completing operations. However, at the time the yard remained closed.

As the end of 24 August, there were some vessels had already berthed at Meishan terminal.

MSICT is the second Chinese container terminal to be hit by a COVID-related lockdown and closure in recent months. In May and June Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) suspended much of its operations causing major disruption to global supply chains. The impact of the Ningbo terminal closure has been considerably less on global container shipping line operations.