The coronavirus outbreak in China has forced several countries to resort to stringent quarantine checks in their battle to contain the spread and the measures are starting to have a knock-on effect on the global commodities shipping market. Delays in loading and delivery of cargoes in the tanker, dry bulk and container shipping segments are being reported due to ships being forced to sit idle amid a lack of crew availability. Merchant ships arriving in Australia were impacted by Canberra’s move to ban all personnel entering the country, if they have been to China on or after February 1. All ships that have left China on or after this date will have to wait out the 14-day quarantine period. In case, if a sickness is reported on board the ship, the Australian authorities will investigate […]