Typhoon Champi threatens East Asian port recovery as intra-Asia rates ease

· Logistics · China · Taiwan

Congestion at ports along China's east coast is easing, with Maersk telling customers that waiting times were improving. But Typhoon Champi is forecast to sweep across the northeast coast of Taiwan, raising concerns that disruption to vessel movements could undo those gains. Meanwhile, intra-Asia container rates are retreating from recent highs as bottlenecks subside: Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index fell 3% on October 15 to an average of $1,453 per 40ft, with rates from Shanghai to Busan, Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations easing. The twin developments leave the region's short-sea market dependent on weather over the coming days.

Why it matters：Short-sea Asian rates and schedule reliability are highly sensitive to weather shocks, and a new typhoon could quickly reverse the congestion relief that carriers have only just started to report.

Key points

  • Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index fell 3% to $1,453 per 40ft on October 15.
  • Maersk reported improving waiting times at east China ports.
  • Typhoon Champi is forecast to hit Taiwan's northeast coast.

Sources (original reporting)

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