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The global container shipping industry is facing significant congestion due to recent typhoon-related disruptions, particularly at major Chinese ports. As of September 23, over 3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of vessels were waiting at anchorages worldwide, accounting for nearly 10% of the global fleet, according to logistic analysts.  This level of congestion is the highest recorded since the pandemic.

The disruption is primarily driven by severe vessel bunching at the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo, two of the world’s largest container hubs, following Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest storm to hit the region since 1949. The situation worsened when Typhoon Pulasan struck shortly after, leading to further operational delays.

These storms forced the temporary suspension of terminal operations. Shipping companies noted delays of 36 to 60 hours in Shanghai and 24 to 48 hours in Ningbo for ships trying to berth. The congestion at these Chinese ports has had a cascading effect, impacting other ports across Asia and contributing to the global backlog.

In September 2024, Australian ports continue to face congestion issues due to a combination of factors, including high import volumes, vessel delays, and ongoing industrial actions. In particular, Brisbane is experiencing vessel delays of up to 10 days, while Sydney and Melbourne are seeing shorter delays of around 1 to 3 days depending on the terminal. The ports are also dealing with increased demand for both imports and exports, which is exacerbating congestion.

Additionally, adverse weather conditions earlier in the year have contributed to backlogs, and the infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the increased volume of container traffic​.

Our commitment to continuous communication and strategic planning is essential in these circumstances to ensure the best results possible.

Feel free to reach out to our teams at any time for further details or assistance.

 

 

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