Ports

Typhoon Disruptions Push Intra-Asia Rates to Five-Week High

Typhoon damage and port congestion across China squeezed vessel capacity, driving intra-Asia container rates higher for the fifth consecutive week. The Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index surged 9% to $1,312 per 40ft on September 3, driven by operational disruptions at Shanghai and Ningbo following Typhoon Saudel. Multiple typhoons—Bavi, Noul, Dolphin, and Narra—compounded the backlog. Vessel waiting times reached 98 hours in Shanghai and 54 hours in Ningbo during Week 35. Major route rates spiked sharply: Shanghai-Busan climbed 30% to $925 per 40ft, while Shanghai-Laem Chabang gained 28% to $1,310 per 40ft. Middle East tensions added further pressure, with Shanghai-Jebel Ali rates rising 6% to $8,254 per 40ft. Disrupted schedules cascaded to transhipment hubs including Busan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, tightening capacity across key trades.