Today is Chinese New Year’s Eve, which means export production has already stopped in China, as factories and businesses close and Chinese nationals ready themselves for this year’s Spring Festival.
The celebrations will continue for the next two weeks and end with the Lantern Festival on February 12th. During this period, the vast majority of businesses in China will be closed, even though the public holiday officially only lasts for the first seven days.
Wednesday 29th January, will bring an end to the Year of the Dragon, and start the Year Of The Snake. Chinese tradition suggests that people born in a snake year will demonstrate wisdom, intuition and transformation, but may also be seen as secretive or jealous.
During the past few days, millions of Chinese have been travelling throughout China and from all over the world to be with their families during the holiday period. While those based at home will have been cleaning their houses to ward of bad spirits and will soon be decorating them with red lanterns to bring good luck.
Freight services in and out of China come to a standstill during the celebrations and traditionally there will be a lack of ocean and air freight demand following them. We will also be witnessing a series of blanked sailings for the next few weeks.
So, the Global Freight Services team wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year!