October 2nd, 2025 – In the wake of a series of powerful typhoons that have swept across Asia in recent weeks, ocean carriers are bracing for widespread disruptions, including skipped port calls, rerouted cargo, and vessel delays across trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe, and Asia-Mediterranean routes. The timing is especially challenging, coinciding with China’s upcoming National Day holiday, an 8-day event beginning October 1st that traditionally slows industrial activity and port operations.
The impact of these storms has been severe. Typhoon Ragasa forced the closure of ports in southern China and Taiwan for three days last week, while Tropical Storm Mitag and Typhoon Tapah caused additional disruptions across the Philippines, southeast China, and nearby regions earlier in September. These back-to-back weather events have compounded logistical challenges across major shipping lanes.
Among the most affected are services under Hapag-Lloyd’s Gemini Cooperation with Maersk. The Pacific Southwest routes, particularly WC1 and WC3, have seen port omissions and vessel schedule changes. Nansha was bypassed this week by the Gerd Maersk on the eastbound WC1 sailing, with cargo now being rolled to the next voyage. Shanghai is also being omitted this week and next on the WC3 service to help restore schedule reliability. Cargo originally planned for the GSL Lydia and Norwalk sailings will be transferred to alternate routes, including the WC2, US2, and US1 services.
These adjustments follow previous disruptions at Yantian, where the Gunvor Maersk was forced to skip a call due to Typhoon Ragasa. Cargo destined for Nansha has been temporarily discharged in Vung Tau and Yantian, with plans to move it back to Guangzhou over the next three sailings. The Dortmund Express on the Asia–U.S. East Coast 1 service also experienced delays at Yantian after omitting Nansha earlier in response to Typhoon Tapah.
Other carriers are reporting similar challenges. Ocean Network Express (ONE) has noted delays of up to a week on its Asia-Mediterranean MS1 and MD2 services due to rough conditions in the South China Sea. Its Japan-Straits-Malaysia service, operated by the ACX Pearl, is running four days behind schedule after disruptions at Hong Kong and Keelung. ONE also cited further delays caused by Typhoon Neoguri, which impacted Japan and South Korea last week. CMA CGM has issued its own warnings of vessel delays following port closures in Manila and Subic as Typhoon Bualoi swept through the Philippines, with additional congestion expected at Haiphong after the storm made landfall in northern Vietnam, bringing deadly flooding and significant infrastructure damage.
Despite these setbacks, recovery efforts are underway. Ports in southern China are slowly returning to normal, with Hong Kong resuming regular operations. However, congestion remains at several Shenzhen terminals, particularly Shekou and Chiwan, where berthing delays are stretching four to five days. Yantian is facing even longer waits of up to a week. Operators have indicated that terminals will remain open throughout the extended National Day holiday, which, combined with factory closures during the break, may help alleviate backlogs and restore smoother cargo flow in the coming weeks.
