The COVID-19 crisis has proven to be a voyage into the unknown, requiring all of us to reinvent how we live and work every day. Here at Hutchison Ports Thailand we have made a steadfast job of keeping our terminals open 24/7 at this critical time, which has largely been the result of our dedicated and professional staff continuing to work normally to help ensure that essential goods arriving and leaving Thailand have continued to reach their destinations.
COVID–19 Shines Light on Logistics Workers
The spread of the new coronavirus infection has created significant challenges for world trade and for the container shipping sector in general. As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the global maritime transport industry is playing a critical role in the response. We have never faced something like this before, and although there are similarities in terms of how countries adapt to traumatic events like war and famine, this situation is unprecedented in the modern age. Special times like these make us realize just how important certain industries are.
For the most part, the logistics industry is often overlooked for the critical role it plays in our everyday lives. I can understand why, as we work “behind the scenes” so to speak, but now more than ever, it’s clear to see that essential logistics industry workers are key to keeping our world moving. Around 80% of global trade is transported by commercial shipping, which moves the world’s food, energy, and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and components. Whether it be keeping supermarket shelves stocked, or delivering vital medical supplies, which are sorely needed at this time. Shipping and ports hold the world economy together. They connect countries, markets, businesses, and people, on a scale not otherwise possible.
Service Continuity Maintained at Hutchison Ports Thailand
In this time of global crisis, it is more important than ever to keep supply chains open and to allow maritime trade and cross-border transport to continue. As part of our ongoing response to the impact of COVID-19, we have taken all the necessary safety precautions to ensure that our terminals remain open and continue serving our customers and other port users.
At Laem Chabang, Thailand’s leading seaport, we have been working tirelessly to maintain a strong position across our cargo business and to minimize the disruption to our customers’ supply chains, while still supporting vital public health efforts to help curb the spread of COVID-19. We have taken a number of steps to protect our people and business operations while ensuring that we continue to provide essential container shipping and logistics services to support the movement of essential goods.
It gives me a great sense of pride to say that the efforts of all of our employees throughout this crisis have been nothing less than extraordinary. Their responsible attitudes have helped the company to provide a smooth service during the pandemic. By working together and following all the protocols to keep our workplace safe, we have been able to navigate this situation with relative ease.
Hutchison Ports Thailand Responds to COVID–19 Outbreak
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, we have also ensured that our employees are able to maintain a safe working environment by being socially responsible and sharing guidelines on sanitization and distancing practices. Our recently established COVID-19 committee has issued various health announcements to our employees with various suggestions to help reduce the chances of contracting the virus. It hasn’t been easy for any of us and I would have to concede that at times, the whole experience has been rather stressful both personally and professionally – especially when dealing with the uncertainty. And even though Thailand, unlike many other countries, has so far avoided the worst of this pandemic, it is vitally important that we remain vigilant and as well prepared as possible in the months ahead.
