(Yicai Global) April 25 -- Maersk and China COSCO Shipping are turning to inland waterways and linking up sea and rail transport in China to cope with the logistical challenges entailed by the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 in the country.

Maersk has switched to using water routes and has combined sea and rail transport to ensure the smooth flow of freight, and since the end of last month the Copenhagen-based firm has been offering free port change services for goods inbound to Shanghai within a certain time, and exempting containers from demurrage charges and part of the change order fee.

Meanwhile, COSCO Shipping has introduced a series of preferential and assistive measures since March 28, including waiving fees for changing some ocean waybills, offsite bill issuing fees, and charges for changing ports, in Shanghai and surrounding areas, according to a source at the Shanghai-based company.

The Chinese shipper also has been making use of 55 ports along the Yangtze River for moving goods by water, as some roads in the Yangtze River Delta region are blocked, the person added.

Water transport has been little affected by the resurgence of Covid-19, and is convenient and consistent with low risk and short delivery times, an industry insider said, adding that Maersk’s land-to-water shipping business uses 12 wharves along the Yangtze.

The combination of sea and rail transport, with advantages in price and time for distances of less than 500 kilometers, has reached the whole eastern China region, the person said.

By switching land shipments to waterways and railroads, COSCO Shipping delivered more than 5,500 tons of vegetables, fruit, rice, flour, fresh meat, seasonings, medical equipment, and other materials needed for the construction of makeshift hospitals in Shanghai from Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces.

Editor: Futura Costaglione