Freight traffic with Czech Republic still without major disruptions despite COVID-19

19 Mar 2020 08:08 Economy

Our colleague Vladimir Dobos, Head of the Port of Hamburg Representative Office Czech Republic, reports on the corona crisis and how it effects the Czech market, which is a major Hinterland market for the Port of Hamburg. The situation in the Czech Republic is equally serious. On March 12th, the Czech Republic declared a 30-day state of emergency. Since March 16th, a ten-day nationwide quarantine has also been put in place. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores and selected shops remain open. All schools and secondary educational institutions are closed. Foreigners without a valid residence status are subject to an entry ban and Czech nationals and resident foreigners are prohibited from leaving the country.
 
Freight transport by rail remains unaffected by the closure of borders reports our member, and Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) subsidiary, the railway undertaking Metrans.
 
According to the Czech Government, the measures do not significantly affect the transport of goods. However, the Czech market reports an increasing shortage of equipment (e.g. Containers). It is still too early to assess the economic consequences.

You can also find up-to-date information on how the individual market regions are affected on the German Chamber of Foreign Trade’s webpage



 

Freight traffic with Czech Republic still without major disruptions despite COVID-19