March 27, 2020:
COVID-19 UPDATE
We are operating our normal weekly RORO and container service to/from all ports in Europe and North America.
- Empty equipment is available at all of our terminal and inland depots.
- We have no port shutdowns at this time.
Please check back for further updates.
March 16, 2020:
COVID 19 CONTINGENCY PLANNING
As an organization with links between North America, North Europe, the Mediterranean and West Africa, the Grimaldi Group and its companies place top priority on the safety and health of our employees, customers and suppliers. We always identify and monitor any circumstances which may affect the health and safety of our employees, customers and suppliers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an ever-changing situation and information is updated daily by the World Health Organisation, North American and European government and Public Health authorities. We would like to update you on our preparedness should the outbreak have any impact on our service. We will issue regular communications while we continue to monitor this situation closely.
At the present time, we are not experiencing any interruptions to our service in any of our ports.
Internal Safeguard Measures
In North America, we have implemented several safeguard measures to protect our employees, customers and suppliers. Please note that this is subject to change as the situation evolves:
- Immediately, as a proactive measure, Grimaldi and ACL North American Customer Service is moving to a 50% work-from-home shift to protect key live-time booking and shipment functions. We will prepare for a crisis environment in a carefully planned manner that resolves any “bugs” in the system in case more serious circumstances dictate a full program.
- An international travel ban has been implemented for all Grimaldi and ACL staff until further notice.
- Our people are relying much more on electronic communications rather than face-to-face meetings.
- At our offices, we have restrictions on visitors entering our premises until appropriate checks are carried out. If you are planning an essential visit to one of our offices or terminals, please be advised that you will be questioned by your Grimaldi/ACL contact on arrival to ensure you are (1) aware of our preventative measures, (2) are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, and (3) have not travelled to any region affected by COVID-19. If you or a member of your immediate family have travelled to an affected region in the last 14 days or are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, please postpone your visit to another time.
- Staff have been fully briefed in relation to personal hygiene measures that are paramount to the successful avoidance of transmission of COVID-19 based on public health authority recommendations. We are providing ongoing communications to employees on the recommendations issued by public health authorities with respect to preventive measures.
Supplier Safeguard Measures
Each of our ocean terminal, rail and feeder operators is implementing a variety of measures, many of which are governmentally mandated. This includes the spraying of terminal facilities with anti-bacterial mist. If you require more specific information on a particular ocean terminal, railroad or feeder operator, please let us know and we will provide you with contact details.
Accounts Payable
Grimaldi and ACL are committed to providing uninterrupted service to our customers as this situation develops. The receipt and processing of checks delivered by Courier and Canadian and US Postal Service would be impacted if COVID-19 were to force us to close our offices and deliveries of your documents were delayed or suspended. A suspension of services by FEDEX, UPS, USPS, Purolator and Canada Post would affect the receipt of your remittance and the timely release of your export Bills of Lading and import deliveries. For the Grimaldi USA-WAF trade, with reference to B/L printing, we strongly recommend you to use as much as possible our IT platform instruments to get B/L either printed at destination or replaced by a Sea Way Bill, easily accessible for your cargo through the GRG and GCG systems. We strongly recommend that, in preparation for the possibility of a stoppage of courier and mail services, you consider remitting payments through our wire payment options:
(1) For US Customers:
Bank details: UniCredit SpA
Routing Code: 026008536
Account Number: 1200016600
(2) For Canadian Customers with CAD Funds:
Bank Name: HSBC Bank Canada, 1801 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3N4
Transit #: 10093-016
Account Number: 024878001
Beneficiary: Atlantic Container Line
1791 Barrington Street Suite 402, Halifax, NS B3J 3K9
Swift code: HKBCCATT
(3) For Canadian Customers with USD Funds:
Bank Name: HSBC Bank Canada, 1801 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3N4
Transit #: 10093-016
Account Number: 024878070
Beneficiary: Atlantic Container Line
1791 Barrington Street Suite 402, Halifax, NS B3J 3K9
Swift code: HKBCCATT
Grimaldi and ACL are aligned with and will continue to follow the guidance provided by the World Health Organization, as well as Provincial, State, and Federal authorities in each country where we operate. We thank you in advance for your understanding and support during this period.
