Customer advisory | Container shipping operations across eastern China are experiencing further disruption following Typhoon Dolphin, while strong demand from India is leading to equipment shortages as monsoon-related disruption affect availability and schedule reliability.
Container shipping operations across eastern China are experiencing further delays after Typhoon Dolphin disrupted major ports and inland transport networks, compounding the impact of Typhoon Bavi just a few weeks earlier.
Temporary closures and operational restrictions at Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan and surrounding feeder ports affected vessel movements and cargo handling, with vessels delayed at anchorage or diverted to alternative ports.
Although the immediate weather disruption is easing and operations are recovering, the impact continues to work through shipping networks. Accumulated cargo, displaced vessels and disrupted rotations mean schedule reliability remains under pressure.
Delays of 7–21 days remain common
Current delays of 7–21 days remain common on affected services, with some shipments experiencing longer disruption depending on their routing, vessel position and onward connections.
The impact is not limited to cargo moving directly through ports affected by the typhoon.
When a vessel misses its planned berthing window or spends additional time at anchorage, subsequent calls within the rotation can also be delayed. This creates a cascading effect across regional and international services, even after normal port operations resume.
Carriers may continue to revise arrival and departure times at short notice while vessels are repositioned and schedules recover.
Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan recovering
Temporary closures and operational restrictions at Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan, together with disruption at surrounding feeder ports, created a backlog of cargo requiring processing as terminals reopened.
Port productivity is improving, but congestion remains while terminals, carriers and inland transport operators clear accumulated volumes.
Feeder connections may also be affected, creating additional uncertainty for cargo originating from or destined for locations away from the main deep-sea gateways.
Inland transport disruption easing
The impact extended beyond port terminals, with road, rail and barge services also affected by severe weather.
Conditions are improving, although localised delays remain possible as inland networks recover and accumulated cargo moves to and from terminals.
Customers should therefore allow for additional time across the complete origin supply chain rather than considering vessel departure schedules in isolation.
What this means for China shipments
Allow additional transit time
Build extra time into current and forthcoming shipments while vessel rotations and port operations recover.
Expect schedule changes
Carriers may continue to revise vessel arrivals, departures and port rotations at short notice.
Plan for knock-on disruption
Delays at Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan can affect subsequent port calls, including shipments that do not move directly through the ports initially disrupted.
Protect critical inventory
Where delivery deadlines or continuity of supply are important, review inventory positions and shipment timing.
Consider alternative options
Alternative routings or transhipment solutions may provide additional flexibility for particularly time-sensitive cargo.
Hecny Forwarding is working closely with carriers, overseas teams and partners to monitor vessel schedules, port congestion and available alternatives. We will continue to support customers in identifying the most appropriate options while services recover.
India: Capacity restrictions and freight costs increase
India’s container shipping market is also experiencing significant pressure, with strong export demand, restricted vessel capacity, equipment shortages and monsoon-related disruption affecting supply chains.
The greatest pressure is currently concentrated on India–US and Latin America trades, with US East Coast services particularly constrained.
Strong demand is exceeding available vessel capacity on several export trades, making space increasingly difficult to secure.
Carriers continue to manage allocations tightly, increasing the risk of rollovers and extended lead times. Spot market availability remains volatile, while quotation validity can be short as market conditions change.
Current indications suggest these capacity restrictions will continue through September.
Freight rates and surcharges
Spot-market freight levels for India–US East Coast shipments are currently breaching USD 12,000/40HC, depending on port pairing, routing and available capacity.
Carriers continue to introduce Peak Season Surcharges for both spot and contract cargo. These charges increased through August to USD 5,000/40HC, with further increases to USD 7,500/40HC being announced for September. Further PSS increases remain possible across other India export markets
Rate volatility is expected to continue into September as carriers maintain tight capacity controls and place further pressure on allocations.
Monsoon adds pressure at major gateways
Active monsoon conditions have affected West Coast Indian port operations and inland transport, adding another layer of uncertainty to already constrained services.
JNPT (Nhava Sheva), India’s busiest container gateway and a major hub for US-bound cargo, continues to experience operational pressure.
Mundra, another significant gateway for US exports, and Hazira, an important feeder and manufacturing export gateway, are also exposed to weather-related and inland transport disruption.
Heavy rainfall can affect road and rail movements, terminal productivity and container flows, increasing the risk of delays before cargo reaches its intended vessel.
Equipment availability remains inconsistent
Container availability, particularly 40HC equipment, remains inconsistent at several Indian export locations.
This can affect booking confirmation and increase the time required to secure both equipment and vessel space.
Customers should avoid relying on normal booking lead times while current conditions persist.
Global Forwarding is monitoring carrier allocations, equipment availability, port conditions and surcharge developments closely and will work with customers to identify appropriate solutions as market conditions develop.
