The Shanghai International Ports Group said in a statement that several terminals in the port of Shanghai, the busiest port in the world by volume of cargo, either stopped operating on Sunday night or would do so on Monday in anticipation of Typhoon Chanthu.
Chanthu has weakened significantly since he faced the Philippines and then Taiwan over the weekend. At its strongest moment, before it reached the Philippines, Chanthu was one of the strongest storms this year. Its sustained winds of 260 km / h (160 mph) were equivalent in strength to a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane at its peak.
Although it was not as strong as a few days ago, the typhoon has already caused serious disturbances in the Shanghai area as it approaches. Shanghai and adjacent Zhejiang province have canceled most flights and suspended schools and train service.
The disruption of the port occurs at the worst time of world trade. Supply chains have extended to the breaking point due to a resurgence of consumer demand and delays in shipping. A recent resurgence of coronavirus in China worsened the backlog of containers in major Chinese ports, which contributed to the ongoing crisis.
Last month, for example, a terminal in Ningbo-Zhoushan port was closed for two weeks after a dock worker tested positive for Covid-19. A shipping analyst at the time said it could take up to 60 days for operations at the port to return to normal.
The price of shipping goods from China to Europe and North America has skyrocketed and companies are reporting substantial delays in receiving orders just as they try to make supplies before the end-of-season holiday shopping season of the year.