Current loading restrictions in Europe due to COVID-19

Plan ahead for the Golden Week holidays in China

China celebrates its National Day on October 1, followed by a week-long holiday. During the Golden Week from October 1 to 7, many businesses will be closed; factories and production sites will stop their operations. Some of them may resume work later than the official holidays.

Therefore, the pre-holiday period is busy for logistics and transportation, as factories tend to speed up their production before the holiday starts. In terms of air and sea freight transportation, space will be getting tight; trucking services will also be in a great demand.

It is important to plan ahead in order to keep your supply chain uninterrupted.

• Impact on sea freight

Most of the sea freight carriers have blank sailings not only during the Golden Week period but also before and after the holidays to adjust their services in accordance with the weak market demand.

Some carriers implement westbound blank sailings as early as week 39. In general, there are blank sailings in week 40 and 41; sailing schedule gradually resumes normal in week 43. It is suggested to place your booking as soon as possible to avoid additional cost and to secure space. Please be aware of the booking cut off time.

You are welcome to get in touch with your DACHSER representative for updates on particular routes and discuss your planning.

• Impact on air freight

During the holiday period, air freight operations in local branches will be either closed or operating with very limited manpower.

For air import, only pre-booked shipment will be handled, please arrange the arrival date as early as September 25 in order to have enough time for customs clearance.

For air export, air freight space will be very tight and shipping equipment will be in great demand during the pre-holiday period. Please confirm with your local DACHSER representative for a precise cut off time.

• DACHSER Branches in China

DACHSER branches in China will be closed from October 1 to 7, and resume work on October 8.

If you have urgent shipment or wish to discuss any questions, please feel free to contact us.

DACHSER's transport network is prepared for dynamic changes

DACHSER says thank you - over the past few weeks, our customers have informed us in good time about their current transport requirements and included us in their planning. This has enabled us to quickly adjust our capacities to the actual demand. Due to the sharp decline in transport volumes in recent weeks, we have temporarily reduced transport capacities and installed special schedules.

The many measures taken to reduce new infections with the coronavirus have had a positive effect in many European countries in recent days. Initial easing measures, for example a partial reopening of retail outlets, are making everyday life easier for people. Since many industrial companies are also resuming production - albeit mostly at lower output levels - we expect transport volumes to remain volatile, but to increase again in principle.

With the active support of our customers, we are very well prepared for the coming period and will also be able to handle rising transport volumes again with the well-known DACHSER quality. It will continue to be very valuable for us in the future, too, that our customers continue to provide us with all the planning information that will enable us to adjust transport capacities and planning in line with demand.

We would like to thank you for your active cooperation during this very challenging period and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration, in which you can continue to rely on DACHSER.

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DACHSER's air and sea freight division is significantly expanding its services. This involves new fixed LCL connections between the port of Rotterdam and various ports in Asia with fixed departure times.     

DACHSER secures long-term air freight capacity

DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics is extending its charter program on the route between Shanghai and Frankfurt to cover the period from May 2022 to April 2024. This enables the logistics provider to continue to offer its customers reliable transport capacity. DACHSER flies a widebody aircraft between Asia and Europe two days a week, transporting 33 metric tons at a time.