11th August 2026
We would like to provide an important update regarding the ongoing weather-related disruption affecting freight movements across China.
China has experienced a particularly active period of severe weather and typhoon activity in recent weeks. Most recently, Typhoon Dolphin has significantly affected eastern China, including key manufacturing, transport and logistics regions around Zhejiang, Shanghai and Ningbo.
The severe weather has resulted in temporary port closures and operational restrictions, disruption to vessel schedules, flight cancellations, inland transport delays and interruptions to warehouse and terminal operations. Although conditions will gradually improve, the effects do not end as soon as the typhoon passes. Ports, airlines, shipping lines, terminals and local transport providers must then work through the resulting backlog, which can cause delays to continue for some time.
What this means for your shipments
Customers with freight originating from, moving through or connecting via affected areas of China should anticipate delays to both sea and air freight.
These may include:
- Delayed vessel departures and arrivals
- Vessel schedule changes and port congestion
- Container loading or terminal delays
- Delayed collections and deliveries within China
- Air freight cancellations, reduced capacity or rescheduling
- Missed connections and subsequent knock-on delays
- Longer transit times while carriers clear accumulated backlogs
We fully appreciate how frustrating delays can be, particularly where stock, production schedules or customer commitments depend on goods arriving within a particular timeframe.
Unfortunately, severe weather events of this nature are entirely outside the control of freight forwarders, shipping lines, airlines and local logistics partners. During typhoon conditions, ports and transport operations may be suspended or restricted for the safety of personnel, vessels, aircraft and cargo. Safety must take priority, and these decisions cannot be overridden or expedited.
Our team is continuing to work closely with our agents, carriers and partners in China to monitor shipments and minimise disruption wherever possible. Where alternative arrangements are practical, we will explore them; however, during widespread weather disruption, alternative services can also quickly become congested.
We therefore kindly ask for your patience and understanding if your shipment is affected. Our operations team will continue to provide updates as information becomes available, but please be aware that schedules may remain subject to short-notice changes while the situation stabilises.
Where possible, we would also encourage customers with upcoming China shipments to allow additional lead time when planning collections, departures and required delivery dates over the coming period.
We understand the impact that freight delays can have on your business, and we share your frustration when circumstances prevent cargo from moving as planned. Please be assured that we will continue doing everything reasonably within our control to keep your freight moving and to communicate developments as clearly as possible.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support.