The statement on the organisation's website reads as follows:
"Over the past few days, we have been receiving enquiries about the status of the upcoming 14th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Istanbul due to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). Although there have been no reported cases in Turkey, we have taken the decision to postpone the event.
"Since the first outbreak of COVID-19 in mainland China, we have been monitoring the situation in Istanbul closely, working daily with local and international authorities. We have been following the WHO’s guidelines. However, there has been an increase in the number of participant cancellations over the past few days for reasons including company travel bans and senior delegates needing to stay close to base during the crisis, therefore, we feel that it would be best to postpone the event.
"Further information will follow in the coming days regarding delegate, sponsor and exhibitor situations and consequential actions that need to be taken.
"We are very sorry that this decision had to be taken but we are sure you will all agree it was the correct one and for the right reasons."