23rd August 2026
Following our recent communications regarding typhoon-related disruption across China and Asia, we would like to provide a further update as weather conditions across the region continue to develop.
Unfortunately, the situation remains challenging. Multiple tropical weather systems are currently active across the region, and Chinese authorities have now activated a Level IV emergency response for typhoon and heavy rainfall.
This comes at a time when parts of the freight and shipping network are still recovering from previous weather disruption, meaning further severe weather has the potential to compound existing delays, congestion and equipment pressures.
Current Situation – China & Asia
Two systems in particular are currently being closely monitored:
Typhoon Narra is affecting the South China Sea and southern China. Its interaction with the southwest monsoon is expected to bring significant rainfall across parts of Hainan, Guangxi and Guangdong, with some areas potentially experiencing very heavy or extreme rainfall. This has the potential to affect road transport, container collections and deliveries, terminal operations and general supply-chain activity across southern China.
At the same time, Typhoon Saudel continues to strengthen over the Western Pacific. Current forecasts indicate Saudel is expected to move northwest and potentially strengthen considerably before passing through or close to the Ryukyu Islands / Okinawa region and moving towards the East China Sea around the middle of the coming week.
Importantly, Saudel’s exact track after entering the East China Sea remains uncertain. We therefore do not want to speculate about a direct impact on individual Chinese ports at this stage. However, given the strength and size of the system, shipping lines, ports and logistics providers across the region will be monitoring developments extremely closely.
Potential Impact on Freight
The concern for the freight industry is not limited to whether a typhoon makes direct landfall.
Strong winds, heavy rainfall and large offshore swells can affect vessel movements and port operations well ahead of the centre of a storm. Carriers may also alter vessel schedules or routing as a precaution.
As a result, customers with cargo moving from China and other affected Asian origins should be prepared for the possibility of:
- Vessel departure and arrival delays
- Changes to ETDs and sailing schedules
- Port or terminal restrictions and temporary closures
- Vessel diversions or port omissions
- Container rollovers onto later sailings
- Reduced or delayed container and equipment availability
- Delayed container collections and deliveries
- Disruption to trucking and inland transportation
- Missed transhipment connections
- Air freight cancellations or schedule changes
- Increased congestion as ports and carriers work through accumulated backlogs
The effects of severe weather can also continue well after the weather itself has passed. When ports or terminals suspend operations, vessels and containers do not simply return immediately to their original schedules. Shipping lines, terminals, hauliers and warehouses must work through the accumulated backlog, which can create knock-on delays across subsequent sailings.
Additional Planning Time Strongly Recommended
Given the current situation, we strongly recommend that customers with shipments departing China and other affected Asian origins over the coming weeks build additional contingency into their supply-chain planning. Where possible, we recommend allowing at least 3–7 additional days against planned vessel schedules, particularly for time-sensitive cargo.
Customers should also be aware that circumstances can change at relatively short notice. Shipping lines may issue changes to ETDs, port calls, cut-off dates and container acceptance depending on the development and track of the weather systems.
Outside of the Industry’s Control – But Closely Managed
We fully understand the frustration and commercial consequences caused by freight delays, particularly when customers are working to fixed production schedules, stock requirements or delivery commitments.
Unfortunately, severe weather of this nature is entirely outside the control of freight forwarders, shipping lines, airlines and local transport providers. Where authorities, ports or carriers suspend operations for safety reasons, those decisions cannot be overridden or expedited. The safety of port workers, vessel crews, drivers, aircraft, vessels and cargo must take priority.
What we can control is how proactively we manage your freight around these circumstances. Our team, together with our overseas agents and carrier partners, will continue to monitor individual shipments, carrier announcements and changing conditions. Where practical alternatives are available, we will explore them and communicate any significant changes affecting your cargo as quickly as possible.
Further Updates
The situation remains fluid, particularly regarding the eventual track of Typhoon Saudel. We will continue monitoring official forecasts, port information and carrier announcements and will provide further customer updates where there is a material change to the situation.
If you have particularly urgent or time-critical cargo currently moving from China or Asia, we would encourage you to speak with your usual contact so that your shipment can be reviewed individually.
We appreciate that continued disruption is difficult for everyone involved in the supply chain and thank you for your patience and understanding while the industry manages circumstances beyond its control.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.