Summary
International freight updates published on August 7 show weather, demand timing and network repositioning driving today’s operating risk. Typhoon Dolphin has forced some major Chinese port operations to pause, creating near-term pressure on East China container exports, while US imports are expected to cool month by month after tariff-driven frontloading. In Europe, low water continues to raise inland barge costs, and air cargo is seeing both new Asia-India and China-US freighter capacity and weaker July spot pricing. Shippers should manage port reopening, space, inland surcharges, air alternatives and destination inventory timing together.
Key Updates
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The Maritime Executive reported on August 7 that Typhoon Dolphin is approaching China’s coast, prompting some major ports to suspend operations, halt ship fueling, restrict navigation in parts of the Yangtze River and delta, and create potential backlog risk around Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai. The report also noted that Shanghai handled a record 203,881 TEU on August 1, so the recent operating base is high and even a short suspension can amplify schedule recovery pressure. East China exporters should closely monitor port reopening times, cutoff changes, yard bookings and barge or truck connections through the weekend and early next week.
Source: China’s Main Ports Suspending Operations as Super Typhoon ApproachesThe Maritime Executive cited NRF forecasts on August 7 showing US container imports remain high, but peak season was pulled forward by tariff timing. NRF expects 25.5 million TEU for the full year, roughly flat with 2024 and 2025. It estimates June, July and August at about 2.23 million, 2.21 million and 2.22 million TEU, followed by monthly declines. For US-bound exporters, near-term sailings may still face space and port volatility, but September onward replenishment, warehousing and quote validity should be judged more cautiously.
Source: US Container Imports Are Expected to Decline Monthly After an Early PeakFreightWaves reported on August 7 that HMM is backing expansion at Washington United Terminals in Tacoma, with a project investment of about USD 135 million and expected completion in 2030. The project is expected to increase annual terminal handling capacity by around 40%. Against a backdrop of frontloaded transpacific imports and ongoing competition among US West Coast gateways, long-term terminal investment helps diversify gateway options. In the short term, shippers should still plan by actual sailing schedules and congestion, but the Pacific Northwest can remain part of future US West Coast contingency reviews.
Source: Asia ocean line in $135M expansion of US box terminalMaersk said on August 7 that falling water levels across several Dutch inland waterways and the temporary closure of Twentekanaal have led it to introduce a Low Water Surcharge for barge transport to and from selected inland terminals in the Netherlands, applicable to inland moves performed from August 3. The advisory lists different 20-foot, 40-foot and 45-foot charges for locations including Hengelo, Almelo and Nijmegen. Cargo moving via Rotterdam, Antwerp or Dutch inland points should re-price barge, rail and truck alternatives together.
Source: Introduction of Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for Inland Waterway Transportation in the NetherlandsAir Cargo News and Logistics Insider reported on August 7 that Hong Kong Air Cargo has launched a dedicated Hong Kong-Mumbai freighter service as part of its India expansion, less than two months after Aeroprime Group became its cargo GSSA in India. Hong Kong Air Cargo’s August charter programme also lists an HKG-Mumbai (BOM) route. For high-value electronics, cross-border ecommerce, pharmaceuticals and time-sensitive freight, the new Hong Kong-India capacity adds an option away from congested passenger-focused hubs, but actual schedule, airport, customs and final-mile capacity should be confirmed shipment by shipment.
Source: Hong Kong Air Cargo launches Hong Kong-Mumbai freighter serviceAir Cargo News reported on August 6 that cross-border ecommerce forwarder Rich Sale International will launch China-US freighter flights with Atlas Air, linking Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and Chicago Rockford. The service is expected to begin with eight charter flights in August before moving to a twice-weekly scheduled operation in September. IndexBox’s summary of the report noted Rockford’s cargo-oriented operation and Midwest distribution advantages. The route is relevant for China ecommerce replenishment, but US import policy, customs data and onward trucking remain key constraints.
Source: E-commerce forwarder to launch China-US freighter operationAir Cargo News reported on August 7 that the TAC-calculated Baltic Air Freight Index showed average airfreight rates in July down 8.8% from June, even though late-July rates were still 16.8% above last year. The article also noted that the IATA/Platts jet fuel price monitor showed average jet fuel in the final week of July up 22.9% from June, but summer belly capacity, low-season demand and EU low-value parcel duty changes weakened rate pass-through. Exporters should not automatically translate higher fuel into higher airfreight rates; quotes need to be refreshed by lane, cargo type and airport pair.
Source: Airfreight rates fall in July despite fuel price risesThe Loadstar reported on August 7 that Ningbo Ocean Shipping, the liner unit of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Group, has confirmed a two-year charter of Clean Star, a new 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel car carrier, at about USD 80,000 per day. The move puts another container carrier into vehicle transportation and reflects how EV exports, car-carrier scarcity and Asian shipping asset allocation continue to evolve. Automotive, parts and project-cargo shippers should compare ro-ro, container and multipurpose vessel options against port availability, loading windows and insurance requirements.
Source: Ningbo Ocean Shipping dips its toes into car-carrying watersDH Logistics View
- Today’s freight signals split into two tracks: short-term disruption and structural network repositioning. Typhoon-related suspensions at East China ports can quickly affect cutoffs, yards and vessel schedule recovery, while US imports remain high but should not be projected forward mechanically after an early peak season.
- Air cargo is also showing both new route supply and lower pricing, giving shippers more fallback options but requiring tighter control of airports, schedules and customs execution. DH Logistics recommends that this week’s shipment plans prioritize port reopening, inland low-water surcharges, air alternatives and US destination inventory timing instead of focusing only on the main freight rate.
Planning Notes
- East China export cargo should confirm port reopening, cutoffs, yard appointments, barge connections and truck recovery times shipment by shipment, with alternate-port options where needed.
- US-bound orders should separate August arrival pressure from possible September-and-beyond import cooling; quote validity should stay short.
- European cargo using Dutch inland waterways should price barge, rail and truck options together, with low-water surcharge and waiting cost shown separately.
- India and China-US airfreight quotes should confirm exact airports, charter versus scheduled status, space-release timing, customs data and final-mile trucking resources.
- Automotive, parts and EV-related cargo should compare ro-ro, container and multipurpose vessel options, and lock port loading windows early.
- When typhoon, low-water, tariff and fuel risks move at the same time, main freight, inland costs, insurance and delay responsibility should all be written into customer confirmation.
Sources
View sources (11)
- China’s Main Ports Suspending Operations as Super Typhoon ApproachesThe Maritime Executive · 2026-08-07
- US Container Imports Are Expected to Decline Monthly After an Early PeakThe Maritime Executive · 2026-08-07
- Asia ocean line in $135M expansion of US box terminalFreightWaves · 2026-08-07
- Introduction of Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for Inland Waterway Transportation in the NetherlandsMaersk · 2026-08-07
- Hong Kong Air Cargo launches Hong Kong-Mumbai freighter serviceAir Cargo News · 2026-08-07
- Hong Kong Air Cargo Expands India Network with Dedicated Mumbai Freighter ServiceLogistics Insider · 2026-08-07
- Charter Programme for August 2026 and OnwardsHong Kong Air Cargo · 2026-08-07
- Airfreight rates fall in July despite fuel price risesAir Cargo News · 2026-08-07
- Ningbo Ocean Shipping dips its toes into car-carrying watersThe Loadstar · 2026-08-07
- E-commerce forwarder to launch China-US freighter operationAir Cargo News · 2026-08-06
- Rich Sale International and Atlas Air Launch China-US Freighter Flights via RockfordIndexBox · 2026-08-06