The human cost of the novel coronavirus outbreak has been widely reported and the tragic consequences continue. In the commercial sector, we are also seeing an impact on our clients: China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil, iron ore and soybeans and the largest exporter of steel; the impact of the virus on supply chains, production and transport has been and may continue to be significant.

Disputes affecting declarations of Force Majeure arising from the impact of the coronavirus seem inevitable