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COVID-19 controls cut container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen

COVID-19 controls cut container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen. The disruption ran from 2021-05-25 (25 May 2021) to 2021-06-24 (24 June 2021), 31 days, affecting Yantian. Yantian averaged 1.8 calls per day during the event window against an expected 9.4 (-81.0%). Yantian averaged 1.6 calls per day during the event window against an expected 8.9 (-81.9%).

World Freight Monitor permanent record. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/covid-restrictions-yantian-port-2021/. Record last updated 2026-09-16.

Key facts

Started
2021-05-25 (25 May 2021)
Ended
2021-06-24 (24 June 2021)
Status
ended
Severity
3 Significant
Scope
port
Chokepoints
None
Ports
Yantian
Lanes
None
Countries
China
Confidence
high: The restriction dates come from the terminal operator's own notice and from a carrier advisory updated through the episode, with consistent trade press reporting. The window does not overlap Lunar New Year or China's National Day holiday exclusions.
First reported
2021-05-26 (26 May 2021)
  • Severity basis: Berths in use at the port fell from 20 to five and the western terminal area was closed from 2021-05-26 to 2021-06-24, a port level restriction lasting more than seven days.

What happened

Container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen was cut from 2021-05-25 (25 May 2021), after COVID-19 cases were found in the port area, and full operations resumed on 2021-06-24 (24 June 2021). The terminal operator stopped taking laden export containers through the gate late on 2021-05-25, and from 2021-05-26 export and transhipment boxes in the western area were held and operations there stopped. Berths in use fell from 20 to five. Carriers reported the eastern berths running at about 30 percent of normal output in early June, recovering through the month, while about 90 ships skipped Yantian and Shekou. The operator said all berths, including the western area, returned to normal from 00:00 on 2021-06-24, with laden gate in raised to 9,000 trucks a day.

Measured effect

Container ship port calls, Yantian

Baseline (expected)
8.9 calls per day
Observed
1.6 calls per day
Change
-7.3 (-81.9%)
Standardised score
-2.4
Event window
2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24 (31 days)
Baseline window
2021-03-23 to 2021-05-17 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-16 (16 September 2026), data revision 1:a20e0e915852
Container ship port calls, YantianContainer ship port calls, Yantian, 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021) to 2021-08-05 (5 August 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26, with a mean of 5.3 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-08-05, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.0510152021-03-162021-05-262021-08-05
Container ship port calls, Yantian, 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021) to 2021-08-05 (5 August 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26, with a mean of 5.3 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-08-05, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Container ship port calls, Yantian (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2021-03-164
2021-03-175
2021-03-188
2021-03-196
2021-03-208
2021-03-2111
2021-03-229
2021-03-238
2021-03-249
2021-03-2512
2021-03-267
2021-03-277
2021-03-2810
2021-03-2913
2021-03-308
2021-03-318
2021-04-018
2021-04-0210
2021-04-039
2021-04-044
2021-04-057
2021-04-069
2021-04-078
2021-04-0811
2021-04-099
2021-04-104
2021-04-116
2021-04-1212
2021-04-135
2021-04-1410
2021-04-1512
2021-04-168
2021-04-176
2021-04-185
2021-04-196
2021-04-2013
2021-04-218
2021-04-229
2021-04-2311
2021-04-248
2021-04-258
2021-04-2615
2021-04-278
2021-04-289
2021-04-298
2021-04-3013
2021-05-017
2021-05-0211
2021-05-0312
2021-05-048
2021-05-056
2021-05-0611
2021-05-079
2021-05-0810
2021-05-0910
2021-05-1010
2021-05-1112
2021-05-126
2021-05-135
2021-05-1411
2021-05-1511
2021-05-168
2021-05-1711
2021-05-1810
2021-05-195
2021-05-207
2021-05-218
2021-05-223
2021-05-233
2021-05-246
2021-05-251
2021-05-263
2021-05-273
2021-05-280
2021-05-292
2021-05-303
2021-05-312
2021-06-011
2021-06-020
2021-06-030
2021-06-043
2021-06-052
2021-06-063
2021-06-073
2021-06-080
2021-06-090
2021-06-100
2021-06-111
2021-06-123
2021-06-130
2021-06-141
2021-06-153
2021-06-161
2021-06-171
2021-06-180
2021-06-192
2021-06-201
2021-06-214
2021-06-223
2021-06-232
2021-06-242
2021-06-251
2021-06-264
2021-06-272
2021-06-282
2021-06-291
2021-06-304
2021-07-011
2021-07-022
2021-07-031
2021-07-044
2021-07-053
2021-07-063
2021-07-071
2021-07-084
2021-07-099
2021-07-101
2021-07-115
2021-07-120
2021-07-132
2021-07-142
2021-07-152
2021-07-162
2021-07-170
2021-07-183
2021-07-193
2021-07-200
2021-07-215
2021-07-222
2021-07-236
2021-07-242
2021-07-255
2021-07-260
2021-07-275
2021-07-281
2021-07-295
2021-07-302
2021-07-314
2021-08-015
2021-08-024
2021-08-031
2021-08-044
2021-08-051

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Port calls, Yantian

Baseline (expected)
9.4 calls per day
Observed
1.8 calls per day
Change
-7.6 (-81.0%)
Standardised score
-2.5
Event window
2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24 (31 days)
Baseline window
2021-03-23 to 2021-05-17 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-16 (16 September 2026), data revision 1:0cf61d24bf5f
Port calls, YantianPort calls, Yantian, 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021) to 2021-08-05 (5 August 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26, with a mean of 5.6 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-08-05, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.0510152021-03-162021-05-262021-08-05
Port calls, Yantian, 2021-03-16 (16 March 2021) to 2021-08-05 (5 August 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26, with a mean of 5.6 calls per day. The latest value, for 2021-08-05, was 1 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Yantian (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2021-03-165
2021-03-177
2021-03-188
2021-03-197
2021-03-2010
2021-03-2111
2021-03-229
2021-03-239
2021-03-2410
2021-03-2513
2021-03-267
2021-03-277
2021-03-2811
2021-03-2914
2021-03-3010
2021-03-318
2021-04-018
2021-04-0211
2021-04-039
2021-04-044
2021-04-057
2021-04-069
2021-04-078
2021-04-0811
2021-04-099
2021-04-105
2021-04-116
2021-04-1213
2021-04-136
2021-04-1410
2021-04-1513
2021-04-169
2021-04-176
2021-04-186
2021-04-196
2021-04-2014
2021-04-218
2021-04-2210
2021-04-2311
2021-04-248
2021-04-258
2021-04-2615
2021-04-2710
2021-04-2810
2021-04-299
2021-04-3014
2021-05-017
2021-05-0211
2021-05-0312
2021-05-048
2021-05-056
2021-05-0611
2021-05-0710
2021-05-0810
2021-05-0911
2021-05-1010
2021-05-1112
2021-05-128
2021-05-135
2021-05-1411
2021-05-1511
2021-05-168
2021-05-1711
2021-05-1811
2021-05-195
2021-05-207
2021-05-218
2021-05-223
2021-05-233
2021-05-246
2021-05-251
2021-05-264
2021-05-273
2021-05-280
2021-05-292
2021-05-303
2021-05-313
2021-06-011
2021-06-020
2021-06-030
2021-06-043
2021-06-052
2021-06-063
2021-06-073
2021-06-080
2021-06-090
2021-06-101
2021-06-112
2021-06-123
2021-06-130
2021-06-141
2021-06-153
2021-06-162
2021-06-171
2021-06-180
2021-06-192
2021-06-201
2021-06-214
2021-06-223
2021-06-232
2021-06-242
2021-06-251
2021-06-265
2021-06-272
2021-06-283
2021-06-291
2021-06-304
2021-07-011
2021-07-022
2021-07-031
2021-07-044
2021-07-053
2021-07-064
2021-07-072
2021-07-084
2021-07-099
2021-07-101
2021-07-115
2021-07-120
2021-07-132
2021-07-142
2021-07-152
2021-07-162
2021-07-170
2021-07-183
2021-07-193
2021-07-200
2021-07-215
2021-07-223
2021-07-237
2021-07-242
2021-07-256
2021-07-260
2021-07-275
2021-07-281
2021-07-295
2021-07-302
2021-07-315
2021-08-015
2021-08-024
2021-08-031
2021-08-044
2021-08-051

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Replay

Replay: Container ship port calls, YantianContainer ship port calls, Yantian, 2021-03-26 (26 March 2021) to 2021-06-24 (24 June 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.0510152021-03-262021-06-24
Container ship port calls, Yantian, 2021-03-26 (26 March 2021) to 2021-06-24 (24 June 2021): values ranged from 0 calls per day on 2021-05-28 to 15 calls per day on 2021-04-26. The shaded band marks the event window, 2021-05-25 to 2021-06-24.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Container ship port calls, Yantian (calls per day), daily values shown in the replay.
Datecalls per day
2021-03-267
2021-03-277
2021-03-2810
2021-03-2913
2021-03-308
2021-03-318
2021-04-018
2021-04-0210
2021-04-039
2021-04-044
2021-04-057
2021-04-069
2021-04-078
2021-04-0811
2021-04-099
2021-04-104
2021-04-116
2021-04-1212
2021-04-135
2021-04-1410
2021-04-1512
2021-04-168
2021-04-176
2021-04-185
2021-04-196
2021-04-2013
2021-04-218
2021-04-229
2021-04-2311
2021-04-248
2021-04-258
2021-04-2615
2021-04-278
2021-04-289
2021-04-298
2021-04-3013
2021-05-017
2021-05-0211
2021-05-0312
2021-05-048
2021-05-056
2021-05-0611
2021-05-079
2021-05-0810
2021-05-0910
2021-05-1010
2021-05-1112
2021-05-126
2021-05-135
2021-05-1411
2021-05-1511
2021-05-168
2021-05-1711
2021-05-1810
2021-05-195
2021-05-207
2021-05-218
2021-05-223
2021-05-233
2021-05-246
2021-05-251
2021-05-263
2021-05-273
2021-05-280
2021-05-292
2021-05-303
2021-05-312
2021-06-011
2021-06-020
2021-06-030
2021-06-043
2021-06-052
2021-06-063
2021-06-073
2021-06-080
2021-06-090
2021-06-100
2021-06-111
2021-06-123
2021-06-130
2021-06-141
2021-06-153
2021-06-161
2021-06-171
2021-06-180
2021-06-192
2021-06-201
2021-06-214
2021-06-223
2021-06-232
2021-06-242

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Timeline

  1. COVID-19 is reported at the port, the start of the outbreak that led to the restrictions, according to trade press. [s4] [s5]
  2. The terminal suspends acceptance of laden export containers at the gate from late on 2021-05-25 through 2021-05-27, according to the carrier advisory. [s2]
  3. Export and transhipment containers in the western area of the terminal are held and operations there stop until further notice. Yard density in the terminal is reported at 96 percent. [s2]
  4. Trade press reports the eastern part of the terminal working at about 30 percent of normal output with the western area still shut, tens of thousands of TEU backed up and ships waiting off the port. [s3]
  5. The carrier reports yard density down to 60 percent and about 90 ships, including partner services, having skipped Yantian and Shekou. [s2]
  6. The operator says all berths, including the western area, resumed normal operations from 00:00, with laden gate in raised to 9,000 trucks a day and export boxes accepted seven days before vessel arrival. [s1] [s4]

Cause

The operator attributed the reduced operations to COVID-19 control measures in the port area after cases were found there, and said on 2021-06-23 that the virus was under control and terminal capacity had recovered. Attributed by: Yantian International Container Terminals. [s1]

Resolution

2021-06-24 (24 June 2021): All 20 berths, including those in the western area, returned to normal work from 00:00 on 2021-06-24, with gate throughput and container acceptance restored to normal levels. Backlogs and vessel schedule gaps persisted after that date. [s1] [s4] [s5]

Corrections

No corrections to this record as of 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026).

Sources

  1. [s1] Yantian International Container Terminals, YANTIAN Resumes Full Operations, published 2021-06-23 (23 June 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (official)
  2. [s2] Maersk, Greater China Yantian/Shekou/Nansha Port Operations Update, published 2021-05-27 (27 May 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (official)
  3. [s3] The Maritime Executive, Congestion Grows in China's Yantian Port due to COVID-19 Outbreak, published 2021-06-03 (3 June 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  4. [s4] The Maritime Executive, China's Yantian Container Terminal Resuming Normal Operations, published 2021-06-23 (23 June 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  5. [s5] PortCalls Asia, Yantian container port resumes full operations, published 2021-06-28 (28 June 2021), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)

Cite this record

The address of this record is permanent and a correction is always logged on this page, so a citation names the version you read. Add the date you accessed it.

Plain text

World Freight Monitor. "COVID-19 controls cut container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen." Last updated 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026). https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/covid-restrictions-yantian-port-2021/

APA

World Freight Monitor. (2026). COVID-19 controls cut container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen. World Freight Monitor. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/covid-restrictions-yantian-port-2021/

BibTeX

@misc{wfm_covid_restrictions_yantian_port_2021,
  author = {{World Freight Monitor}},
  title = {COVID-19 controls cut container handling at Yantian in Shenzhen},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Last updated 2026-09-16},
  url = {https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2021/covid-restrictions-yantian-port-2021/}
}