China’s Ports Under Pressure as Typhoon Disruption Continues
China’s ports are facing another difficult period as Typhoon Dolphin follows closely behind earlier weather disruptions, adding further pressure to a shipping network that is still working through congestion and vessel delays.
Following the impacts of Typhoon Bavi and Typhoon Noul, operational disruptions have been reported across major gateways including Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian and Shekou. Vessel schedules have been significantly affected, with delayed arrivals creating backlogs at terminals and further disruption to planned sailings.
The latest concern is Typhoon Dolphin, which is expected to affect parts of eastern and southern China around 9th August. Port authorities have already issued operational notices, with Yantian, Ningbo and Shanghai advising that container receiving will be suspended from 7 August, with further instructions to follow on when normal operations can resume.
The immediate disruption is only part of the issue. Once the weather system passes, ports and terminals still need to work through the containers and vessels that have been delayed. This can create vessel bunching, terminal congestion and further schedule changes as carriers work to restore their networks.
At Yantian and Shekou, additional measures have also been introduced to manage the build-up of containers. Full containers can currently only be returned to the terminal within seven days of the vessel’s estimated time of berthing (ETB-7). With vessel arrival times continuing to change, the ETB can be revised as updated forecasts become available.
For exporters, this creates another layer of uncertainty. A container may be ready at the factory, but if the vessel’s ETB changes, it may not yet be possible to gate the container into the terminal. This can result in additional trucking movements, waiting time and storage costs, particularly where delays continue to accumulate.
The impact is also likely to extend beyond the ports themselves. When terminal capacity becomes constrained and vessels are delayed, trucking capacity and container storage can come under pressure. Businesses may therefore see increased costs and reduced availability as transport providers and container yards manage tighter capacity.
And then there is Golden Week
The timing of all of this is particularly important because China’s National Day Golden Week is approaching in early October.
Golden Week traditionally creates a two stage effect for international supply chains. In the lead-up to the holiday, exporters and retailers often increase shipping activity as businesses work to move cargo before factories and businesses close for the break. This can create a seasonal increase in demand for vessel space, equipment and transport capacity.
During the holiday itself, many factories and businesses temporarily close or operate with reduced staffing, resulting in a short-term slowdown in manufacturing and cargo movements.
The pressure can return quickly after the holiday, however, as businesses reopen and work to replenish inventories. This post-holiday rebound can place additional demand on shipping capacity at a time when schedules may already be under pressure.
For businesses moving cargo from China, the combination of successive typhoons, ongoing vessel delays, changing terminal requirements and the approaching Golden Week period is a good reminder that planning ahead matters.
Where possible, exporters should allow additional time for factory-to-port movements, confirm terminal receiving requirements before dispatching containers and keep in close contact with their freight forwarder and carrier as vessel schedules change.
At End to End Logistics, we will continue to monitor port operations, carrier announcements, vessel schedules and congestion across China and keep our customers informed as conditions develop.
Weather disruption is difficult to predict, but understanding the potential knock-on effects can make it easier to plan around them.