The stringent measures will probably be gradually dissolved – but there will still be restrictions and comprehensive measures to prevent infection throughout most of the world.
This involves strict rules of movement, hygiene rules and quarantine rules. Schools, kindergartens and universities will gradually open from April 20.
We still have full focus on maintaining normal operations. SR Group has no personnel affected by Covit19 so far.
Scheduled flights, boat routes and train routes and restrictions on road movements in Europe continue. However, the situation is now more predictable and changes happen with something more «notice».
This makes the situation somewhat easier going forward. Therefore, we will now only update our web pages when there is something new to report.
https://sr-group.no/en/corona-driftsinformasjon/
The Corona pandemic now characterizes the worldview in full and the situation have huge influence for individuals, government agencies and businesses.
The operations of our companies are also affected – but we can assure you as a customer that we do our outmost to maintain operations and to deliver within limitations regulations gives us. SR Group still has no personnel affected by Covit19.
Our transport lines
European trucking
When it comes to our transport routes in Europe, these are still maintained to the extent practicable and in collaboration with good partners.
Fjordline has canceled all sailings between Bergen / Stavanger / Langesund and Hirtshals. We largely use the extraordinary daily routes between Kristiansand and Hirtshals and this works satisfactorily, although costs are somewhat higher.
An extraordinary daily route is established between Kristiansand and Hirtshals to maintain communication for goods. We will use this to the extent possible. Also Color Line have one daily ferry from HHS to KRS for freighttrailers.
The cost of road transport in Europe has risen sharply. Due to the change of ferry routes, we get more running costs and the prices of ferries also increased. Furthermore, the exchange rates of EUR and DKK are high, which also leads to increased costs, waiting time on borders and the like. longer and that several carriers have also introduced Covid19 additions. During this period, higher rates than normal must be expected.
SRG uses standing containers on all shipments in and out of Holland, Germany Denmark and UK, and we will use all available routes to deliver.
Sea Cargo still has no changes to its route layout, and we hope it will remain so in the future. Sea-Cargo has introduced a 10% currency surcharge on its prices!
The Shortsea companies have still not reported any particular irregularities caused by the pandemic.
Norwegian ports are still closed but freight traffic continues as normal.
In Italy, there are still some closed factories and restrictions – but the infection figures show a positive trend and the restrictions will gradually ease. France and Spain continue to be in a state of emergency and this delays transport and terminals, but freight traffic works largely as normal. Here, the infection figures are also in a positive development, so restrictions are gradually and slowly eased.
UK has also introduced several measures! Ports and airports are closed to passenger traffic, but freight traffic is maintained, with the exception of some passenger ferries and of course the scheduled flights. Stores with «non-essential» items are still closed. It is primarily passengers and air traffic that have been reduced. Some factories in Scotland and in parts of England are closed in whole or in part.
Denmark has decided to open society gradually. The limit will still be closed to people, while freight and transit traffic will generally go as normal.
Contact our car department for more information on specific needs: road@sr-group.no
Global ocean / train transport
Overseas capacity is still somewhat reduced due to falling volumes and closed ports / borders. Furthermore, the rates are under pressure and capacity shortages can result in higher rates than has been the case lately.
Train traffic between EURASIA is generally normal. Activity is now picking up on the Chinese side as the effects of the pandemic on Chinese mainland are about to calm down.
Shortsea goes pretty much as normal.
Contact our ocean department for further information regarding specific needs – ocean@sr-group.no
Airfreight
We can see that with constant cancellations and layoffs in the airlines, the freight will naturally be affected.
Here you will find IATA’s update on the status of air traffic in the individual countries!
65% of cargo capacity overseas is based on scheduled passenger aircraft and when adjusted, capacity will be under pressure. This naturally results in the rates coming under pressure. The rates on most of the air cargo are now on demand and this experiences higher prices in terms of experience. Capacity problems can also cause delayed delivery – so it pays to be out in good time!
The strict restrictions on travel in and out of Norway mean that handling at airports can be somewhat slower than normal. Domestic air traffic is moving at very reduced capacity, which can extend the transport time and it also puts the rates under pressure.
Jetpak introduces a temporary surcharge from 1.4 due to increased costs and reduced capacity. The surcharge applies to all aviation products and will be as follows:
- NOK 13.50 per kilo (freight calculation weight)
- Minimum NOK 155 per AWB (per shipment)
- Maximum NOK 849 per AWB (per shipmentDHL also introduces an «Emergency Situation Surcharge» from 1.4.2020 – the supplement is fixed per shipment – based on freight calculation weight:
- Up to 2.5 kg – no supplement
- 2.51 – 30 kg – EUR 2.50
- 30.1 – 70 kg – EUR 15
- 70.1 – 300 kg – EUR 50
- <300.1 kg – EUR 200Both of these additions will have to be passed on to our customers.
Currently, international freight routes are approaching normal. The situation has put a great deal of pressure on charter capacity and increased freight capacity has also been put in place on some routes with special needs.
The closed borders of the United States dramatically reduce the capacity of scheduled airplanes, and this creates some challenges for the carriage of goods to and from the United States by air!
Contact our air freight department for further information regarding specific needs – oslo@sr-group.no
Nationally
Most of the traffic nationally goes as normal. We are experiencing fluctuating volumes, but currently have good capacity both locally and nationally.
Most municipal special rules have now been relieved, but we as a carrier are still required to carry out a risk assessment of all transport assignments in order to assess the risk of possible infection risk and take measures to reduce any infection risk.
Some exemption rules have been introduced – including exemption from driving and rest time rules and exemptions from drivers’ working time regulations. The exceptions are given for what is defined as transport of articles related to life and health. This is defined for the following modes of transport:
- Food distribution and related industries, including fuel distribution
- Commodity Transportation
- Animal feed and transport of live animals
- Transport of medicines and medical equipment
- Distribution of equipment to hospitals and other public institutions
These rules may have consequences for our ability to carry out transport assignments to or from these municipalities, but for the time being we interpret the provisions that transports can proceed as normal if they are assessed for general risk and risk of infection.
As previously reported, we have implemented intervening internal measures in our companies with the aim of reducing the risk of infection and, of course, we follow our customers’ regulations with respect to measures to limit infection.
We are therefore ready to carry out your mission with our own capacity whenever possible. For time-critical shipments nationally, we have material and personnel available to carry out express transport!
For larger transports and projects where a boat can be an alternative, our company Gesi Shipping AS has the opportunity to assist – contact shipping@gesi.no
Contact our inland department for more information regarding specific needs: booking@sr-group.no or foresporsel@sr-group.no
Time-critical shipments – special solutions
If you have special time-critical shipments or special needs, we can assist with various charter or courier solutions both by sea, airplane and car.
For specific inquiries contact global@sr-group.no
Customs
The Customs Service reports that all customs offices, with the exception of Drammen and Fredrikstad, are still open.
The border with Sweden is also open to normal traffic. The border with Russia is still open on the Norwegian side, but Norwegian citizens are therefore not allowed to enter Russia. On the Norwegian side, no special measures have been introduced related to cross-border crossing. There are also no restrictions on e-commerce.
The government also says: Goods transport to Norway is important in order to make sure that we still have sufficient supplies of necessary goods, such as food, medicines and other products. All transport of goods, imports and exports, which does not involve the carriage of passengers, shall be carried as normal by road, train, ship and aircraft. Airports, ports and border crossings are kept open for such traffic. All customs offices maintain (as far as possible) their capacity in the freight forwarding and the possibility of controlling the flow of goods.
Also note that a provisional customs regulation was adopted on 19 March that applies to business operators using direct driving. The deadline for submitting a completed declaration is extended from 10 to 30 days. Furthermore, recipients of goods can more easily dispose of uncollected goods when this is necessary for security of supply.
On March 23, a new provisional customs regulation was adopted. Carriers with a valid transport permit are given the opportunity to cross the border without stopping at specified customs locations within business hours. The purpose of the regulations is to reduce the risk of infection at the customs offices concerned.
Nor are there any specific measures that deal with imports of goods from so-called risk countries.
The authorities are introducing increased border controls in particular to prevent foreign nationals from entering.
The Customs Director today states that freight traffic is operating as normal!
The Customs Service’s updated information can be found here (Norwegian)
Currency exchange rates
The recent events have led to turmoil in the financial markets, which has led to a sharp fall in the Norwegian krone. We have seen huge changes in exchange rates. This results that costs in EUR, USD, SEK and DKK are unpredictable. We no longer have an overview of what the services we buy will cost.
We therefore see ourselves having to introduce a currency surcharge on all our freight applicable to all offers that have not been invoiced by us. In practice, this means that all assignments along the way will receive a foreign exchange supplement.
This does not apply to assignments received before 1 February 2020. This will take care of shipments with a long transit time. The currency supplement, of course, only applies to the part of the cost that is derived from foreign currency. The fee may vary depending on exchange rates and the currency in question. Alternatively, we can offer customers who come with new invoicing assignments in foreign currency. We strongly apologize for the challenges this poses to all of you, but can assure that we will do our utmost to bring the goods to the benefit of our customers.
Force Majeure
However, we must emphasize that this situation can lead to delays to expected delivery both domestically and abroad.
We are in a Force Majeure situation and this situation can cause delays and similar. In the event of delays or irregularities, any financial claims will lapse.
We refer here to the message from NHO Logistics and Transport;
“The Korona virus means that we are now in a force majeure situation for the transport and logistics industry. Normally, being in a force majeure situation means that you are not liable for ongoing liabilities and financial losses. »
Read about NHO advise about Corona situation for businesses (Norwegian)
We can ensure that we focus on getting through this crisis in a good way and also help our customers meet their delivery needs to the greatest possible extent.
Our dedicated staff will work to find good solutions if possible and we will continue to deliver in line with our vision: «Best in quality and service» even during this crisis!
