The China logistics briefing for people who actually ship.

China port delays hit 10 days as Suez return threatens 2027

1. 01

   Shanghai and Ningbo berthing waits hit 10 days after typhoons

   Ships are waiting 10 days to berth at Shanghai and Ningbo, with 3.92 million TEU held in queues worldwide after Typhoon Saudel.

   • Sea Freight
   • Ports & Congestion
   • Peak Season
2. 02

   Suez return would cut global container demand 8.7% in H1 2027

   If all Asia-Europe services return to Suez by year-end, global head-haul container demand will contract 8.7% year on year in H1 2027.

   • Sea Freight
   • Ports & Congestion
   • Fuel & Surcharges
3. 03

   Cosco orders 18 ships, pushing global orderbook to record 14.84m TEU

   Cosco commissioned 18 ships worth $2.99 billion, bringing its orderbook to 1.89 million TEU and the global orderbook to a record 14.84 million TEU.

   • Sea Freight
   • Fuel & Surcharges
   • Peak Season
4. 04

   Asia-Europe air freighter capacity up 18% despite ecommerce slump

   Freighter capacity from Asia Pacific to Europe rose 18% in the week of 17-23 August compared with late June, despite a steep fall in Chinese ecommerce traffic.

   • Air Freight
   • EU Customs
   • De Minimis

Questions people are asking today

How long are ships waiting to berth at Shanghai and Ningbo right now?

Ships are waiting 10 days to berth at Shanghai and Ningbo as of 1 September 2026. Typhoon Saudel hit last week and added to congestion from earlier typhoons. The ports resumed operations on Friday, but vessel bunching and backlogs mean the queue will take weeks to clear. Linerlytica estimates 3.92 million TEU are waiting worldwide, 11% of the global fleet. Add two weeks to your transit assumptions.

Will ocean freight rates drop in 2027 if carriers return to Suez?

Rates will drop if carriers return to Suez, but timing depends on how fast it happens. Sea-Intelligence modelled three scenarios. If only 19% of Asia-Europe services use Suez, global head-haul demand growth slows to 3.8% in H1 2027. If all services return, demand contracts 8.7%. Suez routing cuts 10 days off the round trip, freeing capacity and pushing rates down. Model a 15% reduction starting Q1 2027.

Why is air freighter capacity to Europe increasing if ecommerce volumes are falling?

Carriers are redeploying capacity from ecommerce parcels to higher-value cargo. The EU eliminated the low-value import exemption on 1 July, killing the air freight model for small parcels. Freighter capacity from Asia Pacific to Europe rose 18% in the week of 17-23 August compared with late June. Carriers are filling planes with non-ecommerce cargo including samples and fast-moving SKUs. Renegotiate if you ship air freight to Europe.

How will Cosco's new ship orders affect freight rates?

Cosco's 18 new ships will add 1.89 million TEU between 2028 and 2030, pushing rates down unless demand absorbs it. The global orderbook hit a record 14.84 million TEU, 43.1% of the current fleet. Deliveries are concentrated in 2028 to 2030, so you have two years of tight capacity followed by a flood of new tonnage. Lock in 2027 rates now and renegotiate in 2028 when newbuilds arrive.

Should I book Q4 peak season shipments now or wait for rates to drop?

Book now. Vessel availability is tight because 11% of the global fleet is in berthing queues. Carriers have less capacity to sell, and charter rates are high as newbuilding deliveries fell to a three-year low in August. You either book early and pay the rate, or book late and pay more. The typhoon season is not over. If you are planning a November shipment and have not booked, you are already behind.