Breaking: Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Suspends All Heavy Container Operations from 20:00 August 7 as Typhoon “White Dolphin” Approaches
Typhoon “White Dolphin” (Category 4-equivalent super typhoon), with maximum sustained winds of 14-grade (42 m/s) and a central pressure of 955 hPa, is bearing down on East China’s coastal regions. The typhoon center was located approximately 852 kilometers east of Ningbo as of 05:00 on August 7, moving westward at 15-20 km/h.
In response, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port – the world’s largest port by cargo throughput – has implemented a full-scale typhoon prevention shutdown:
- August 6: Zhuangyuan’ao and Jinyang terminals were the first to suspend operations
- August 7, 12:00: All major port areas – Bei-1, Bei-2, Bei-3, Daxie, Meishan, Yongzhou, Zhensi, and Jiaxing Port – unified suspension of empty container inbound/outbound operations
- August 7, 20:00: Complete cessation of all heavy container receipt and pickup operations
Resumption time is pending further notice.
The storm is expected to pass through the Ryukyu Islands on August 7, enter the East China Sea, and make landfall along the coast from Zhejiang to northern Fujian between the afternoon of August 9 and the morning of August 10, with landfall intensity of 12-14 grade (35-42 m/s).
Dual Typhoon Impact: “Whale” Also Makes Landfall
Compounding the situation, the 14th typhoon of the season, “Whale” (tropical storm strength), made landfall on the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines at approximately 04:00 on August 6, with maximum winds of 8-grade (18 m/s) at landfall. While “Whale” has since weakened and was downgraded by the Central Meteorological Observatory at 11:00 on August 6, the combined effects of both systems have created severe conditions across the region.
Under the dual typhoon influence, 6-7 grade winds with gusts of 8-9 grade are forecast across most of the East China Sea, southeastern Yellow Sea, waters east of Taiwan, the Bashi Channel, and central/southern South China Sea – with 8-11 grade winds and 12-13 grade gusts in parts of the central and eastern East China Sea.
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port: Emergency Response in Full Swing
Port-Wide Shutdown
The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port system has been implementing typhoon prevention measures since August 6. According to the official “Harbor EDI” platform of Zhejiang Seaport, all major container terminals have suspended operations:
| Port Area | Empty Container Suspension | Heavy Container Cessation |
|---|---|---|
| Bei-1, Bei-2, Bei-3 | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
| Daxie | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
| Meishan | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
| Yongzhou | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
| Zhensi | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
| Jiaxing Port | August 7, 12:00 | August 7, 20:00 |
Maritime Emergency Response
- 46 offshore construction projects in Ningbo have been fully suspended, with 142 construction vessels relocated to safe anchorages
- Over 100 emergency response vessels – including patrol boats, harbor tugs, and social emergency forces – have been deployed across the port
- Since the activation of Level III typhoon response, Ningbo Maritime has coordinated 42 container vessels over 250 meters to rush into port for unloading during the limited pre-typhoon window
- Ningbo and Zhoushan maritime authorities raised the coastal typhoon response to Level II at 08:00 on August 7
- All 72 passenger ferry routes in Zhoushan were suspended as of 20:00 on August 6
- 3,971 fishing vessels in Ningbo have returned to port for shelter
Pre-Typhoon Preparations
Prior to the typhoon’s arrival, the Ningbo Navigation Mark Office of the Ministry of Transport’s East China Sea Navigation Safety Center dispatched vessels including the “Haixun 163” to recover drifting navigational marks in the waters around Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, eliminating navigation risks and safeguarding port operations. Navigational marks are critical infrastructure for maritime navigation – equivalent to “traffic signs” at sea – and any displacement can severely disrupt shipping lanes or even cause safety incidents.
Pre-Existing Congestion: The “Bavi” and “Hongxia” Hangover
This new typhoon disruption arrives before the port has fully recovered from the impacts of previous typhoons “Bavi” and “Hongxia”.
Shanghai Port
- Following Typhoon “Bavi,” the Yangshan Port Area fully suspended vessel entries in mid-July, with 27 international vessels altering their arrival/departure schedules
- After the typhoon passed, delayed vessels converged on the port, with nearly 20 international vessels berthing in a single day at Yangshan
- Average delays at major Shanghai terminals remain at 4.4 to 8 days: WGQ2 (Wusong) at 7-8 days, YGS4 (Yangshan) at 8 days
- Despite strong recovery capacity – setting a single-day container throughput record of 203,881 TEUs on August 1 – the port remains under immense pressure
Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
- Some routes face vessel waiting times of approximately 2 days, with popular routes exceeding 3 days
- Meishan Port Area’s yard utilization rate once approached 90%, with other terminals also at high utilization levels
- Yard storage fees (“drop-box fees”) in Shanghai have surged from the normal RMB 400-500 per container to RMB 1,000-2,000, with some peripheral yards quoting RMB 4,000-6,000
Southern China Ports
- Shenzhen Shekou and Yantian have implemented ETB-7 export heavy container temporary controls since August 3
- Average container waiting times of 3-5 days
- Qingdao Port: vessel waiting times of 3-4 days, tight berth resources, and all voyages delayed
Freight Rates Bounce Back – Space Tightens
The port congestion has led to slower vessel turnaround and disrupted schedules, creating a compressed cargo release from July into August and a short-term surge in space demand.
SCFI Rebounds
According to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange’s July 31 data, the Shanghai Container Freight Index (SCFI) rose 143.02 points to 3,205.97, a weekly increase of 4.67% , ending three consecutive weeks of decline.
| Route | Rate (per FEU/TEU) | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast | $6,229 / FEU | +12.54% |
| US East Coast | $9,054 / FEU | +12.61% |
| Europe | $3,039 / TEU | -3.68% |
| Mediterranean | $4,189 / TEU | -3.72% |
Industry Outlook
Freight forwarders report that August vessel bookings are broadly at full capacity. The US West and East Coast routes have seen significant rate rebounds. Multiple carriers are planning rate increases of over $1,000 on US routes for August.
What This Means for Your Supply Chain
The current situation presents a “perfect storm” of compounding risks:
| Risk Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Ningbo-Zhoushan full shutdown | Complete halt of container movements at the world’s largest port |
| Pre-existing congestion | Yards at near-full capacity with 3-8 day delays already in place |
| Peak season cargo volume | August is traditional peak shipping season – cargo backlog will be severe |
| Rate volatility | US route rates up 12%+ with more increases expected |
| Yard storage cost surge | Drop-box fees up 5-15x normal rates |
| Dual typhoon impact | Extended weather disruption window through at least August 11 |
Critical Recommendations for Shippers:
- Adjust shipment schedules – Avoid the August 7-11 typhoon impact window
- Monitor carrier notices – Stay alert for port-skipping or route-diversion announcements
- Evaluate external yard storage – Prepare for potential secondary drayage and storage cost increases if heavy containers cannot enter the port
- Consider order splitting – Diversify across multiple voyages to mitigate space shortage risk on any single sailing
- Build in buffer time – Factor in at least 3-5 days of additional lead time for all August shipments
The Opportunity: Why This Is Your Moment to Partner with PRO Supply Chain
When the world’s largest port shuts down, pre-existing congestion compounds the crisis, and freight rates spike, experienced, agile supply chain partners become indispensable.
This is where XIAMEN PRO SUPPLY CHAIN CO., LTD. comes in.
Who We Are
XIAMEN PRO SUPPLY CHAIN CO., LTD. is a Class A international freight forwarding company approved by the Ministry of Commerce of China, holding NVOCC qualification. Based in Xiamen – a key port city in southern China – we specialize in providing end-to-end supply chain solutions for businesses navigating complex and rapidly changing international logistics environments.
How We Help You Navigate the Typhoon Disruption
1. Real-Time Port Intelligence
We monitor port closure and resumption notices in real-time across Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shanghai, and all major Chinese ports. When operations resume, you’ll be among the first to know – and the first to book.
2. Alternative Route Planning
When Ningbo-Zhoushan shuts down, we help you reroute cargo through alternative ports – including Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or even transshipment hubs – to keep your supply chain moving.
3. Yard Storage & Contingency Management
With drop-box fees spiking to RMB 4,000-6,000 per container, we help you optimize storage strategies and minimize demurrage and detention costs during the disruption window.
4. Capacity Securing
With August bookings at full capacity and rates rising, our long-standing carrier relationships give you access to priority space and competitive rates – even during peak disruption.
5. End-to-End Visibility
Our real-time tracking systems provide full visibility into your cargo’s journey – so you always know where your shipments stand, even when ports are closed.
Why Partner with PRO Supply Chain?
| Your Need | Our Solution |
|---|---|
| Navigate port closures | Real-time intelligence + alternative routing |
| Avoid yard storage cost spikes | Storage optimization + demurrage management |
| Secure space during peak disruption | Priority carrier access + competitive rates |
| Maintain supply chain continuity | Multi-port coverage + contingency planning |
| End-to-end visibility | Real-time tracking across all modes |
The Time to Act Is Now
Typhoon “White Dolphin” is expected to impact East China through at least August 11. With Ningbo-Zhoushan Port – the world’s largest – fully shut down and pre-existing congestion already at critical levels, the supply chain impact will be significant and prolonged.
If your business depends on shipping cargo through China’s eastern ports, you need a logistics partner who can navigate this disruption – and help you emerge stronger on the other side.
XIAMEN PRO SUPPLY CHAIN CO., LTD. is that partner.
Contact Us
XIAMEN PRO SUPPLY CHAIN CO., LTD.
📧 hugh@proschain.cn
📞 +86 15960250195
Typhoons may shut down ports – but they don’t have to shut down your business. Partner with PRO Supply Chain for reliable, agile, and cost-effective freight solutions. Request a quote today – and discover why leading global shippers trust us to keep their cargo moving, through every storm, on every route, no matter what.