While tensions between China and Taiwan remain high following last month’s state visit to Taipei by US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chinese exports destined to be shipped through the Taiwan Strait are likely to be further disrupted by Typhoon Hinnamnor.
The weather system was declared a Category 5 super typhoon and lost and gained intensity as it moved across territories west of the East China Sea.
Since it has regained intensity it has caused the South Korean ports of Busan and Gwanhyang to close.
The latest news about Hinnamnor’s movement is that it has also caused the port authorities of Shanghai and Ningbo to suspend operations.
That was at 16h00 yesterday afternoon (10h00 Central Africa Time).
It has also been reported that Pudong Shanghai Airport (PVG) has suspended all flights, although it may be back in operation from today.
It could not be confirmed whether PVG had indeed been reopened at the time of posting this report.
Apart from shipments headed west through the Strait, Transpacific loads from the affected ports will also be compromised.
Asian cargo destined for the US West Coast is already affected by blank sailings implemented to deal with declining freight rates on primary trade lanes.
The typhoon setback could add to expected costs stemming from delayed shipments.
According to weather predictions, Hinnamnor is currently at its fiercest in the channel between the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, with the typhoon’s CDO (central dense overcast) system active over Busan, stretching all the way to Seoul.
As it moves closer to shore it is expected to have a major impact on South Korea, unleashing the most severe disruptions in the country’s history.
The airports of Incheon, Gimpo and Jeju have already said that all operations will be suspended when Hinnamnor makes landfall.
