Ports

Taiwan's cargo hub faces equipment bottleneck as AI shipments pile up

Uncollected freight is congesting Taiwan Taoyuan Airport's warehouses and creating shortages of ground handling equipment, disrupting air cargo operations, according to logistics providers serving the facility. The backlog affects major carriers including China Airlines, EVA Air, and Starlux. Some China Airlines freighter flights to the US have been canceled amid the disruption. Seko Logistics reports that insufficient dollies prevent aircraft from unloading cargo efficiently and towing shipments to warehouse breakdown areas. Freight imported to support Taiwan's AI and semiconductor sectors is accumulating faster than consignees can retrieve it, with some cargo sitting in facilities since early September. The equipment shortage stems directly from warehouse congestion, as incoming shipments destined for the island's tech industries arrive before ground infrastructure can accommodate them. Industry observers say the situation mirrors pandemic-era supply chain strain.