An unusually active typhoon season is disrupting shipping operations across Asia, with Shanghai particularly hard hit by snarled traffic and vessel delays. In an advisory published Wednesday, A. P.

Moller-Maersk A/S warned that a string of severe typhoons in recent weeks had caused congestion at some of the region’s biggest ports "resulting in a decrease in on-time vessel arrivals." The typhoon season, intensified by El Niño conditions, has led to port closures, delayed departures, and rerouted cargo, affecting global supply chains. Major hubs including Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Hong Kong have experienced significant operational slowdowns as vessels wait out storms or face berthing delays. Industry analysts note that the frequency and strength of typhoons this season exceed historical averages, compounding existing logistics pressures.

Maersk’s warning highlights growing concerns over climate-related disruptions to maritime trade. The situation underscores the vulnerability of Asian ports to extreme weather events, with potential ripple effects on inventory levels and freight rates worldwide.