Update on Current China Port Delays and Impact on Trucking & Depot Operations
FAK CONSOLIDATION EX NEW ZEALAND TO LTKA/SUVA
February 18, 2025
You might have heard about the adverse situation in port situation in China and would like to provide an overview across China.
Due to bad weather since late July/early August (especially typhoons), vessel schedule disruptions, and congestion at key port terminals, container turnaround times have been extended. These conditions are creating challenges across the logistics chain and are impacting both trucking and depot operations. We expect that will last for at least whole August.
Key impacts include:
Impacting ALL trades
- High yard utilization close to the “Red Line” for terminals in Shenzhen, both Shekou and Yantian terminals are implementing policy of ETB-7 days Gate-In which greatly reduce receiving capacity.
- Longer waiting times for truck pickups and container returns at port terminals.
- Reduced availability of trucking capacity / fast cost increase in trucking as vehicles experience extended turnaround times.
- Increased congestion at container depots (especially in Yantian), resulting in delays for empty container collection and return activities with cost increase.
- Potential changes to planned pickup and delivery schedules which situation is “dynamic” as vessels are under different situations i.e., waiting outside the port for berth or with snowball impact delay from ports to ports with final “last minute” port omissions.
| GEOGRAPHIC AREA | PORT | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| CHINA | Ningbo | Typhoon “DOLPHIN”: Ningbo Port has been under Typhoon Warning Class III from 05/2000 LT. The port will close from the 7th night to the 10th PM due to the typhoon impact.
Last-minute port omissions have become quite frequent. Ningbo Port waiting time is 2–3 days this week. Waiting time is expected to increase to 5+ days next week due to the impact of the port closure. |
| CHINA | Nansha | Nansha waiting time is 1–2 days. |
| CHINA | Shanghai | Waiting time is around 5–10 days, with some extreme exceptions experiencing more than 14 days’ delay.
Last-minute port omissions have become quite frequent. Due to Typhoon “DOLPHIN”, both feeders and mother vessels have evacuated for sheltering. |
| CHINA | Shekou | Shekou average waiting time is 4–5 days.
Shekou laden units yard density is over 95%. Net loaders will be prioritized by the terminal to clear yard inventory. ETB-7 Gate-in Control: Only export laden containers with an ETB within 7 days will be accepted for gate-in. Containers arriving earlier than this window will be temporarily deferred. |
| CHINA | Qingdao | Port closed on 2/Aug due to dense fog.
2–3 days of delay or waiting. |
| CHINA | Yantian | Yantian average waiting time is 3–4 days, generally with 90%+ yard density. Expect continuously prolonged berthing time.
Yantian gate policy: Only export laden containers with an ETB within 7 days will be accepted for gate-in. Multiple carriers and alliances, including Premier / Ocean Alliances / MSC, have port omissions, creating backlog and a snowball effect. Outside depots in the Yantian area are very full, affecting daily operations. |
| HONG KONG SAR, CHINA | Hong Kong | Impacted by previous Typhoon “NOUL”. A large number of barges have been delayed, with accumulated backlog of more than 5,000 moves for barge operations.
Entire HIT remains busy, with a general waiting time of 2 days for all carriers. |
Our operations team is closely monitoring the situation and working with shipping lines, terminals, trucking partners, and depots to minimize disruptions wherever possible. We will continue to provide updates as conditions evolve and will proactively communicate any significant impacts to your shipments. Please reach out to each office manager and their operations team to discuss the problems or issues shippers/consignees may face and also manage expectation with market information sharing.
We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period. Please contact your account representative or our customer service team should you require shipment-specific information.