On the 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation announced
that the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) was being treated as a world
pandemic. It has resulted in the lock down of various nations, with
many non-essential services being ordered closed in order to
mitigate the spread of the virus.
Though ports largely remain open to cargo vessels, the pandemic
has impacted the shipping industry due to shortages of crew, the
closure of shipyards delaying necessary refit works and restrictive
measures being implemented by certain ports in order to ensure the
safety of their personnel. As supply chains break down, and
contractual deadlines are missed, parties are investigating how to
mitigate their exposure to the damages being incurred as a result
of this unprecedented virus.
