Operations at Ningbo-Zhoushan port remains "normal" despite the recent Covid-19 related disruptions at Ningbo, home to the world's third-largest container port, following announcements of a partial lockdown of Ningbo city in East China's Zhejiang Province.

Maersk said in its latest advisory on January 6 that container operations and vessel services at the port remains normal.

"Container load and discharge operations keep normal in the three terminals near the epidemic area of Beilun district," Maersk said.

"Vessel call and departure keeps normal so far."

It added, however, that container gate-in and gate out operations are permitted only through 5 dedicated channels including 4 highspeed intersections (Beilu, Chaiqiao, Guoju, Chuanshan) and one road between NBCT and NBSCT from 16:00 PM January 1 in the three terminals.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation and are doing our best to keep your supply chain moving," Maersk added.

Container throughput at Ningbo-Zhoushan port also remained stable recording  450,800 twety-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) from January 1 to noon time of January 5 — the same as what's recorded last year, according to reports.

State media Xinhua said as January 4, 26 locally transmitted Covid-19 cases have been found in the Beilun area. 

The new lockdown measures — part of China's zero-Covid policy — is seen to raise further concerns on impacting the already fragile supply chain, especially as the industry gears for the expected surge of exports for the Chinese New Year on February.

Lars Jensen, CEO of liner consultancy Vespucci Maritime, earlier said this policy combined with the rise of the more contagious Omicron variant means that the risks of larger disruptions to not only supply chains but also manufacturing are significant in the coming weeks.