The Chinese New Year, which starts on 29 January and is dedicated to the snake, is one of the most important holidays in China. The celebration has a significant impact on the global logistics chain, and especially on maritime transport.
Both before and after the holiday, ports often experience overloads due to the increase in advance shipments and the accumulation of goods during the closure. In fact, many importers and exporters tend to increase orders before the New Year. There can also be delays in shipments, especially for markets dependent on Chinese manufacturing, and container shortages as demand often exceeds supply. The New Year celebration also has an impact on domestic production and transportation in the country through temporary factory closures as many Chinese companies suspend operations for two weeks or more.
In this context, China’s global economic weight underlines the importance for companies to plan ahead and schedule shipments weeks in advance. This organisation also helps to remain competitive in the face of fluctuations in demand and transport costs.
Operinter, an international logistics operator with coverage on five continents, takes advantage of its extensive experience in the Chinese market and its network of own offices – through the Alonso Forwarding China brand – to closely monitor the logistics situation. It offers its clients personalised advice and strategic solutions that guarantee the efficient flow of their operations during key events such as the Chinese New Year.
Apart from the impact of this holiday on the international logistics chain as a whole, Donald Trump’s imminent return to the US presidency is also causing concern in the international maritime sector. It will be he who, as of 20 January, will shape the country’s new tariff policy with real effects worldwide.
Control of the Panama Canal
In addition, the president has already called several times for the return of control of the Panama Canal to the United States. Trump accuses the country of imposing very high transit fees on US ships, which use the canal to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific. He has also criticised Chinese influence on the passage, saying that “the canal should not be run by the Asian giant”.
Built by the United States between 1904 and 1914, the Canal was managed by the US for decades. This situation led to the outbreak of riots in 1964 against US control. As a result, in 1977 Panamanian President Omar Efraín Torrijos and Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which guaranteed the permanent neutrality of the canal. Years later (in 1999) Panama took full control of the infrastructure through the Panama Canal Authority.