Severe weather continues to disrupt shipping and port operations across the Far East this year, with Typhoon Dolphin making landfall in China’s Zhejiang province yesterday.

Several ocean freight ports have been temporarily closed or restricted, while hundreds of flights have been cancelled in and around Shanghai and Ningbo. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue across parts of eastern China, meaning disruption could persist for the next few days.

Storms have already been a significant issue for Far East supply chains during 2026, with Typhoon Maysak and Super Typhoon Bavi among the most damaging systems to affect the region so far.

Typhoon Bavi caused significant disruption across eastern China during July and added further pressure to shipping networks that were already struggling with congestion, vessel backlogs and accumulated cargo.

That pressure has continued through the Asia peak season, with delays of up to five days becoming commonplace and major ports including Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Shekou and Nansha facing some of the greatest congestion.

With cargo volumes already placing additional strain on vessels, terminals and equipment availability, each new spell of severe weather can have a wider knock-on effect. Temporary port closures and interrupted vessel operations can quickly lead to rolled bookings, missed connections, equipment shortages and changes to planned departure dates.

The arrival of Typhoon Dolphin therefore risks adding another layer of disruption to supply chains that have had limited opportunity to fully recover between storms.

Unique Forwarding continues to monitor the situation closely in conjunction with our overseas partners and will keep customers informed of any significant impact on their shipments.