The pandemic has caused havoc where shipping is concerned. There are shipping orders that have been delayed by months because the human element that work in the logistic sector has either quit or have been cut down. The remaining staff is working over time trying to make it work by burning either end of the candle and that doesn’t seem to be working to well either.
If anyone has been taken around the bush by this pandemic it’s the Australians. They have now been warned that they should start ordering Christmas gifts from overseas now as the pandemic causes huge delays to shipping. The federal government recently halved the already reduced number of flights entering the country and this combined with increased demand for online shopping is expected to create a bottleneck in the supply chain. Additionally, factory and warehouse closures, industrial action and even shipping container shortages could cause even more disruption.
Freight and Trade Alliance director Paul Zaili quoted that ‘I would highly recommend that anyone who wants a guarantee of the right presents under the tree for Christmas, that they look to purchase in coming weeks while stock is available,’ Peter O’Brien, the director of importer New Dimension Oz – which focuses on toys and educational products – has similar advice. ‘If you used to start thinking about Christmas shopping in October, start thinking about it in August,’ he said. Mr O’Brien said his wholesale shipment times have doubled from three to six months. He added a reduced number of cargo ships sailing out from places such as China, India and the United States resulted in growing backlogs of deliveries at ports.
Australia’s location as an island in the southern hemisphere also means that they are particularly reliant on air and sea freight routes – which have been particularly disrupted by Covid. The constant arrival of passenger planes into Australia actually accounted for about 80 per cent of freight – stored in the cargo holds – brought into the country in 2019, the Australian Airports Association said.
