As China continues to tighten inspection requirements for cold chain food imports over Covid-19 fears Ocean Network Express (ONE) has suspended taking food import bookings bound for Huangpu, China. 

“Due to stricter customs inspections and disinfection requirements for food import commodities (including but not limited to meat, seafood, dairy, fruits and vegetables), inbound reefer container pick-up activity at Huangpu port in southern China has been slow and is facing congestion,” ONE said in a notice to customers.

As a result ONE has stopped accepting food import bookings bound for Huangpu on 26 November, and encouraged customers with shipments in transit to consider a change of destination port.

Related:Container lines diverting reefers from Tianjin as Covid tests cause congestion

China has been imposing strict inspections and tests on cold chain imports over fears that the packaging could carry the Covid-19 virus and this has already resulted in severe congestion for reefer shipments in the port of Tianjin.