Coronavirus: Port of Duisburg supports government authorities and set up a crisis unit
Duisburg, 3 March 2020 - The Port of Duisburg has prepared for the continued spread of the coronavirus “Covid-19” in Europe and in Germany. It has set up an internal crisis unit that will monitor current developments and rapidly implement the required measures and action recommendations.
All employees have been informed of the rules of conduct for protecting against infection as recommended by the German government.
The initiated safety and hygiene measures are based on the current requirements of the competent authorities/institutions. Irregularities will trigger immediate coordination and responses. In addition, all terminals and rail operators are also included in the activities of the crisis unit through the Duisburger Hafen AG network.
Negative impact on trading volumes
“The spread of the coronavirus has already led to significant drops in trading volumes in the global transport industry. The negative impact on sales revenues and earnings will be noticeable in the entire industry and also in the business numbers,” says duisport Chief Executive Officer Erich Staake.
Logistics and goods transport not a contributor to risk
Based on the currently known transmission pathways and the relatively low environmental stability of corona viruses, it is unlikely, based on the current state of knowledge, that imported goods, such as food or items of daily use, represent a source of infection involving the novel coronavirus. This was the finding of the Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) in its most recent estimate. According to experts, goods logistics does not represent a risk based on the current state of knowledge.
Full support for authorities
“We support the efforts of public health services to identify cases of infection in Germany as early as possible in order to delay the further spread of the virus. We are in contact with all major instances and possess the required safety and action concepts. The health of all duisport employees and those employed in the port is our top priority,” says Erich Staake.
Additional information sources on “Coronavirus and the transport of goods”:
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung
https://www.bfr.bund.de/de/kann_das_neuartige_coronavirus_ueber_lebensmittel_und_spielzeug_uebertragen_werden_-244062.html
Berufsgenossenschaft Handels- und Warenlogistik
https://www.bghw.de/presse/aktuelles/allgemeine-nachrichten/das-coronavirus-tipps-fuer-handel-und-warenlogistik
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