As one of the most significant holidays in China, Chinese New Year (CNY) profoundly impacts global shipping, logistics, and supply chains. Scheduled to begin on January 29, 2025, this festive period lasts up to two weeks, with many factories, ports, and businesses shutting down or operating with limited staff. Understanding the implications of CNY on your supply chain is critical to avoid disruptions and ensure seamless operations.

Factory Shutdowns and Production Halt

Chinese New Year sees a nationwide halt in production as factories close their doors for up to four weeks, starting a week before the holiday and often extending beyond its conclusion. The preparation for this shutdown leads to a pre-holiday production rush, with factories attempting to fulfill orders before employees depart for their hometowns. After the holiday, operations typically take another few weeks to normalize as workers return and production resumes.

Increased Freight Transportation Rates

The pre-CNY production surge drives demand for freight transportation, causing a sharp increase in rates for air, ocean, and land freight. Businesses rushing to ship goods before the holiday often face elevated costs, with rates sometimes doubling or tripling in the weeks leading up to CNY. Planning shipments well in advance is crucial to mitigating these expenses.

Potential Congestion and Shipping Delays

The holiday triggers significant congestion at ports and in logistics networks. Ports handle a higher volume of shipments before the holiday, leading to delays and bottlenecks. Post-CNY, the backlog of shipments can take weeks to clear, further compounding delays. Businesses should anticipate slower transit times and build flexibility into their schedules.
With fewer employees working on-site during the holiday season, production times may be extended. It is important to factor in longer production times and delays in receiving quotations. Production typically slows down and there may be a backlog of orders, with factories giving priority to their regular and valued clients. Limited capacity and higher costs for trucking and drayage are expected one week before and after the public holiday. Ocean carriers will adjust their schedules with blank sailings, and airlines may cancel flights. It is advisable to plan ahead and anticipate these challenges during the festive period.

Reference:

Chinese New Year 2025 | Crane Worldwide Logistics

https://redarrowlogistics.com/industry-news/how-will-chinese-new-year-2025-impact-shipping-logistics-and-supply-chains/

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