🌊 Meteorological Context & Operational Impact

Super Typhoon Dolphin made landfall on the Zhejiang coast with sustained winds of up to 151 km/h, forcing the total shutdown of key port complexes in Shanghai (Yangshan) and Ningbo-Zhoushan.

Following safety inspections, ports reopened but are currently experiencing acute "vessel bunching". At Yangshan Port, berth waiting times average 7 to 10 days, with peak reports reaching up to 12 days.

🚢 Carrier Adjustments & Shipping Consequences

To mitigate schedule downtime, ocean carriers are restructuring their operations through:

• Blank Sailings / Port Omissions: Direct cancellation of scheduled calls at Shanghai.
• Cut-Off Changes: Frequent shifting of container gate-in cut-off times.
• Rolled Cargo: High risk of booked containers being rolled over to subsequent vessels due to capacity and berth constraints.

📍 Specific Impact: China - Colombia Route

Shipment delays of 1 to 2 weeks are expected on vessels heading towards Colombian ports.

At Buenaventura (Colombia's primary Pacific shipping hub), operational disruptions heighten the risk of extra storage demurrage charges and staging delays in nearby free trade zones.

Freight Rate Pressure: While transpacific spot rates had been easing since July, they now face upward pressure driven by back-to-back typhoons, fuel surcharges, and ongoing Panama Canal transit constraints.