Why China’s Shanghai Supply Chain Issues Are Just Beginning

As China struggles to contain its COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai, supply chain issues just keep getting worse. When can we expect relief?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
COVID-19
restrictions may be lifting elsewhere in the world, but in Shanghai, it’s causing serious damage to the global supply chain.
As
Reuters
reports, China’s efforts to contain its latest COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai is causing many factories to shut down—disrupting the global supply chain for consumer products like cars and electronics.

More supply chain issues on the horizon

As
SupplyChainDive
(SCD) reports, these current issues are just the tip of the iceberg. The supply chain issues experienced already throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are compounding, with much of the city essentially frozen in place to contain the Omicron variant.
This is resulting in rising costs, slowed trucking of supplies and production inputs that aren’t making it to factories.
It’s not just a matter of keeping employees isolated to maintain productivity; if material inputs aren’t making it to factories, employees camping out on factory floors won’t have anything to produce.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

Trucking snarled in Shanghai

As SCD reports, truck drivers entering Shanghai’s shipping port, airport and factories have to show negative COVID-19 test results from the last 24 hours. In a country where international shipping is so crucial to its economy, the logistical nightmare behind processing those millions of tests coming in at once have already damaged trucking efficiency.
Some companies have reported a 30% drop in efficiency based on lack of trucking in Shanghai alone, causing some to divert their cargo away from Shanghai to other ports.
A few manufacturers are dealing with the problem by keeping their employees within a “closed loop” system; earlier in April, GM implemented containment policies that would require its employees to remain in the plant. It was also able to secure passes for trucks to keep delivering supplies.

A logistical backlog

But that system will only last as long as supplies hold out; an Apple supplier recently announced it had paused production at its Shanghai and Kunshan plants due to COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai are creating a logistical backlog, SCD reports, that could take months to address. If lockdowns lift by late April, experts predict that backlog would take roughly three months to catch up on.
But if COVID-19 shutdowns persist past April, experts believe we’ll see higher commodity prices and suppliers not getting paid.

It’s not over yet unfortunately

Even when shutdowns lift and Shanghai is declared free of
COVID-19
, the subsequent rush for supplies by multiple companies simultaneously could cause new issues. As SCD reports, experts believe the ensuing supply chain issues could cause a 4%-5%
Automakers are going to be hit particularly hard by these complications; supply chain issues for computer chips and other automotive components could continue to cause availability issues on U.S. dealer lots.
It could also see another price increase for new vehicles as automakers attempt to make up for lost revenue in the wake of these supply chain issues. With new vehicles transactions averaging over $46,000 and used cars demanding record prices, the risk of price hikes gets more real as the supply chain crisis continues.
MORE: More New Yorkers Bought Cars During Pandemic to Avoid Public Transit

Save on car insurance with Jerry

As supply chain issues continue, new and used vehicles might keep getting more
expensive
. But Jerry can help you save a little more elsewhere.
Jerry
customers save an average over $800 a year to insure their vehicle. If you’re deterred by the work of gathering quotes and you’d rather leave it to someone else, the Jerry app collects quotes from 55+ top insurance providers, like Nationwide, Allstate, Safeco, Progressive, and Travelers, in seconds. Jerry even helps cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick.
Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings