Following widespread reports of issues with global supply chains, the Chamber's new Chief Executive, Sarah Treseder, gave her reaction: 

“Major container ports all around the world are currently experiencing backlogs. We have seen dozens of ships forced to wait outside ports in America and Asia so this is a systemic issue. Global supply chains have been severely disrupted by Covid due to unprecedented changes to demand and safe working practices. This has of course been exacerbated by the shortage of HGV drivers to move goods and the pressure on warehousing capacity. 

“Shipping companies have been fast to react with innovative solutions to these issues in an effort to keep the economy moving. But we anticipate the disruption will continue while the underlying market volatility stabilises. 

“The shipping sector is the most resilient and sustainable of transport modes. From the onset of the pandemic, ships and their crews have worked tirelessly to meet their charterers requirements, complete voyages and have been an incredible force for good. The industry cannot control the underlying cause of the current global supply chain issues - but working with the government it can help to develop the answers.”