Due to the extensive effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Europe and the rest of the world, ACE will share operational information starting from March, 16th until the situation has stabilized. Everything can change in days or hours, but we try to keep our customers updated on how the situation affects our works and the movement of goods.
April 30th, 11.00 AM
Road transport:
The impact of the corona virus on road transport is decreasing. However, in many companies in Central and Southern Europe, the acceptance of goods is still suspended or restricted. Therefore, the workload of the terminals is higher than usual and a possible extension of the delivery time by 1-2 working days should be taken into account. Also, please continue to make sure that the customer is ready to receive the goods. This is particularly important in countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, Slovakia and Ireland. Due to the spring holidays, regular cars will depart in all directions on April 30 and goods will arrive at the destination terminal after the holidays. The ACE office and terminal will be closed on Friday, May 1. Due to Latvia’s Restoration of Independence Day, there will be no departure of regular truck in the Baltics on May 4. Please note that as of May 4, ACE Logistics Estonia’s terminal is located at Rukki tee 12, Lehmja village, Rae parish, 75306 Harju county.
Additional information: https://www.ace.ee/2020/04/24/ace-logistics-kolib-maikuus-uude-logistikakeskusse/
A longer overview of the impact of the coronavirus on air, sea and rail transport can be found here: https://www.ace.ee/2020/04/21/raudteetransport-on-stabiliz-ja-kiire-ka-kriisiajal/
April 9th, 11.00 AM
Road transport:
The last departures of regular trucks in all directions before Easter will take place today, April 9th. The goods arrive at their destination terminal after the holidays. The ACE Logistics Estonia’s office and terminal will be closed on Friday, April 10th and Latvia and Lithuania also on Monday, April 13th. Next Monday, April 13th, only Swedish and Finnish trucks will depart from Tallinn, as most European countries are celebrating Easter until Tuesday. In many companies in Central and Southern Europe, the reception of goods is still significantly suspended or restricted, and the workload of terminals is therefore higher than usual. Due to the holidays and the effects of the Corona virus, the possible extension of the delivery time is approximately 1-2 working days and it still must be taken into account and ensured, that the customer is ready to receive the goods. This is particularly the case in countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, Slovakia and Ireland, but it must also be considered in other countries.
March 31st, 15.00 PM
Road transport:
The Central European groupage trucks continue to move with some delays compared to their normal schedules. In many companies in Central and Southern Europe, the reception of goods is even more suspended or limited, and therefore terminals workload is higher than usual. It is necessary to continue to consider the possible delay of the delivery time up to 1-2 working days and make sure that the consignee is ready to receive the goods. This is particularly needed to consider in countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, Slovakia, Ireland, but also with other countries. The Baltic states and Scandinavian shipments continue to operate without any major delays.
Air transport:
The interest in air transport from China to Estonia is growing, but the opportunities for it is still very limited. A large number of flights have been canceled. Airlines offer the service on a short-term basis and prices change daily.
If possible, we recommend sending the goods fully by rail or sea transport.
March 25th, 11.30 AM
Information to customers who want contactless delivery in Estonia. If you would like your goods to be delivered contactless, please let us know as soon as possible. This information can be added to the form of order when placing an order. To make the delivery contactless, we will send you an electronic waybill prior to shipping. The consignee must sign it and send it back to us as a scanned image. The driver cannot leave before this document is received. The normal delivery of shipments will continue, and we confirm that all of our couriers are required to monitor critically their health, strictly follow all hygiene requirements and avoid being near each other. We acknowledge and thank all the drivers and customers who work during these difficult times.
March 23rd, 11.30 AM
Road transport:
Central European groupage trucks continue to move with a slight deviation from their schedules. Terminals are still overloaded and therefore an extension of delivery time of at least 1-2 working days should continue to be considered. It is still important to make sure that the consignees are ready to receive the goods. This is particularly important for the countries located in central and southern Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Saturday, that they will close all factories, that don’t produce basic necessities until April 3rd. The impact of this law on shipments currently in transit is not yes clear, but we expect more information from our partner in Italy, soon. Finnish liners will depart with a two-hour delay from their normal schedule, but this should not have a significant impact on the movement of consignments. Baltic and Scandinavian shipments continue to operate without any delay.
Air transport:
Turkish Airlines will cancel direct flights to Tallinn, and Lufthansa will significantly reduce the number of flights to Tallinn airport. Both airlines continue with cargo freights. Air transport opportunities remain limited and volatile. For each inquiry we provide a solution that is fitted for the particular shipment.
March 20th, 11.30 AM
Road transport:
The situation at the Polish border crossing points has significantly improved within the last 24 hours and the queues are now rather short. Central European groupage trucks are likely to return to their original schedule during the weekend. Terminals are still overloaded and therefore, delivery times are still extended to at least 1-2 business days. Delivery times for FTL/LTL shipments are still longer than generally. The changes in ships’ schedule mean that the trucks to Finland are behind their usual schedule a couple of hours. Nevertheless, a significant impact on the movement of the shipments is unlikely. Baltic and Scandinavian shipments continue to move without any considerable delay.
March 19th, 11.30 AM
Road transport:
Groupage import and export trucks to central Europe continue to move on a casual schedule. Also, the situation at the LT-> PL border has improved significantly. At 11:30 AM today, the Kalvarija Point has a queue of about 7 km and less than 1 km queue at the Lazdijai border crossing. Unfortunately, there are still long waiting lines at the DE-> PL border crossing points. For more detailed, real-time information, see: https://covid-19.sixfold.com/
Regarding group shipments, a delay of 2-3 business days should be taken into account. The extension of delivery time for FTL / LTL shipments should still be considered. Finnish trucks operate on a casual schedule as well and delivery times are expected to increase by 1-2 business days. Baltic and Scandinavian shipments continue to operate without significant delays.
We ask all our customers to make sure that the consignee is willing to accept the goods before shipping them out. It is especially important in southern Europe. If the goods cannot be delivered, they will be stored in the terminal for one day only due to the current situation. If no further instructions are given within that time period, the goods will be returned. The additional costs will be charged from the sender.
Air transport:
Cargo space has been reduced due to high number of canceled flights and it has a significant impact on air transport. Due to lack of space, air fares are constantly rising. Airlines and freight forwarders are constantly working on developing new solutions (e.g. chartering) to ensure transportation of goods and vital products above all.
Rail transport:
Rail transport from China to Europe is still a great alternative to air transport. To date, there have been no malfunctions in freight schedules. An increase in the volume of goods is already seen and it can start affecting delivery times, too.
March 18th, 11.45 AM
Road transport:
Groupage import and export trucks to and from Central Europe are currently moving on a free schedule. In addition to Kalvarija, the Lazdijai border crossing point was opened at the LT / PL border, but queues are still over 15-20 km long and waiting times are unpredictable. Queues at the DE / PL border crossing points continue to be long. All groupage shipments are expected to have lead time at least 2-3 business days longer. Longer delivery times must be considered also for FTL / LTL shipments.
Starting March 18, due to closing borders in Finland Tallink will change the traffic of the Shuttle vessels between Tallinn and Helsinki, which will also affect the ACE Logistics Finland linehauls. Trucks are currently moving on free schedule and delivery times are expected to increase by 1-2 working days. The Baltic and Scandinavian shipments are currently moving without significant delays.
March 17th, 11 AM
Road transport:
Export linehaul trucks to DE and PL departed from Baltics 16.03 in time but have to wait in LT/PL border as there is ca 50 km queue. Current waiting time on the border is about 20 h meaning transit time delays for all groupage shipments to Europe at least 1-2 working days. There will be also delays in FTL/LTL shipments
Import linehaul trucks from PL departed 16.03 in time and was in our terminals without delay. Linehaul trucks from DE departed 16.03 in time but have to wait in LT/PL border. Current waiting time on the border is about 10 h meaning transit time delays at least 1 working days. There will be also delays in FTL/LTL shipments
Groupage shipments and LTL/FTL traffic within Baltics, Finland and Scandinavia are currently moving without any significant delays
Air transport:
Air Baltic, Finnair, SAS and Aeroflot have announced a cancellation of flights to Tallinn. Lufthansa and Turkish Airways are still operational at the moment.
March 16th, 3 PM
Due to the wide spread of Coronavirus in Europe, most of ACE Logistics Group office employees are working from home since March 16th. It helps to decrease the risk of the virus spreading into our workplace. Our staff in terminals and warehouses as well as our couriers are continuing their work as usual. All our employees, who can’t work from home due to the nature of the work, must strictly follow all the hygiene requirements and avoid being nearby each other. We recommend the same measures to our customers as well.
Road transport:
All the departures are currently without changes. The virus can still affect the delivery time to many regions. Multiple countries have established border controls, but that does not prohibit the movement of goods. Border crossing can take up more time than normally due to established examination procedures.
In case there are special requirements for pick-up or delivery, we kindly ask you to inform us in advance or mention it while placing your order.
It is not possible to pick-up/deliver goods to certain regions in northern Italy, Czech Republic and Spain. The most complicated situation is in Italy, where a security zone has been established since March 9th covering the entire country and limitations are set to people’s movement until April, 3rd. The Italian government, the Confetra (the federation of transport companies) and ACE Logistics’s partner in Italy have all confirmed, that it is still possible to send goods to or from Italy. They kindly ask not to deliver or pick up goods from retail stores.
Additionally, Tallink has stopped Tallinn-Stockholm ferry route, but it will not affect our Scandinavian shipments, because we use Paldiski-Kappelskär’s shipping line.
Air transport:
The flight delays and cancellations affect cargo delivery all over the world. The lack of cargo space increases transport costs and extends delivery time. The cancellations continue in different directions every day. Airfreight options are very limited and requests are checked case by case by our employees.
Sea transport
Reduced options due to the cancellation of ship departures. It creates a shortage of empty containers and increases the transportation cost.
Rail transport
Is mainly affected by the closure of Chinese production areas and local transport. China’s limited options forces to look for alternatives, that will affect other parts of Asia.
All Baltic countries have declared a state of emergency so people need to be very careful, but the goods are moving and there is no reason to panic. In case of time-critical shipments is best to contact our customer service or freight managers directly for more information.
ACE Logistics