Breakbulk Asia has been cancelled for this year and the next. “With the ongoing travel restrictions into China for international exhibitors and delegates, as well as internal restrictions as those in place for Beijing-based customers, we believe that cancelling the event is our only option”, organizer Hyve Group states. 

The event was initially scheduled to take place in Shanghai in March this year but due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, it was postponed to 3-4 August. Because of government travel restrictions and restrictions of companies themselves, the event has now been completely cancelled.

The organizer did not explain why next year’s event has also already been cancelled, which according to online information was planned to take place on 18-19 March 2021. Instead, Hyve Group urges Asian-based customers to attend the events in Europe, America or the Middle East.

“We understand the importance of Asia to the global project cargo market. Our coverage will continue through our various products and within the programming at Breakbulk events to reflect the role that Asia, and in particular China, plays in the development of projects worldwide”, says portfolio director Nick Davison of Hyve Group.

Covid-19 impact

The Hyve Group has been heavily hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company’s stock price has plummeted from just over 6 pounds (GBP) at the start of the year to 90 pence now (GBX). The company has had to postpone many of its events due to the virus and the associated measures taken worldwide.

With Breakbulk Asia being taken off the agenda, the organizer’s first breakbulk event this year will be Breakbulk Europe, which was initially scheduled for May but will now take place from 29 September to 1 October.