EXTRANS GLOBAL - Weekly Logistics Operation Update - Week 08 -2026

📌 Weekly Logistics Highlights
This week, global logistics networks shifted into post-Chinese New Year recovery mode, with easing port congestion in major Asian hubs offset by lingering capacity strains from pre-holiday surges and Red Sea diversions; green shipping initiatives persisted amid rate volatility on Trans-Pacific routes, while semiconductor and NEV exports drove volume growth in Northeast Asia, cruise tourism showed robust rebound signs, and US winter weather continued to disrupt drayage and rail operations.

China
Hong Kong, China
🔹 Hong Kong Port Volumes Show Modest Recovery Amid Air Cargo Boost (Feb 18): Hong Kong International Airport reported a 5% uptick in cargo throughput for early February, reaching 324,000 tonnes, bolstered by pharmaceutical and e-commerce shipments rerouted from mainland ports during CNY slowdowns. Port container volumes, however, remained down 6% year-over-year at around 1.2 million TEUs annually, with operators like Hutchison Ports investing in automation to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times by 15%. This reflects a broader push for green logistics, including trials of electric cargo handling equipment to cut emissions by 20% in the coming year.

🔹 Electric Cargo Ship Launches Highlight Green Push (Feb 20): Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group launched a new pure-electric cargo vessel capable of transporting 1,000 tonnes with a 200km range, aimed at decarbonizing inland waterways and leveraging China's EV battery expertise from firms like CATL. This initiative aligns with national goals to overhaul shipping fleets, potentially reducing CO2 emissions by 10% on key routes like the Min River, while addressing post-CNY capacity recovery by enhancing short-haul efficiency.

Shenzhen, China
🔹 Yantian Port Congestion Eases Post-CNY (Feb 17): Following pre-holiday surges, Yantian Port saw vessel delays drop from 3-4 days to under 2 days, with container throughput rebounding 15% week-over-week to handle over 1.2 million TEUs monthly amid export rushes for semiconductors and electronics. Trucking rates spiked 20% due to labor shortages but are stabilizing as factories resume, with Maersk and MSC resuming some sailings while diverting others via Cape routes due to Red Sea uncertainties.

🔹 Bonded LNG Bunkering Advances at Yantian (Feb 21): CNOOC completed a major bonded LNG bunkering operation, supplying 10,000 m3 to the CMA CGM vessel, marking a step toward greener fueling amid global pushes for low-emission shipping. This supports Shenzhen's goal to reduce port emissions by 25% by 2030, with infrastructure expansions potentially saving 15% in fuel costs for carriers amid volatile rates influenced by tariff front-loading.

Guangzhou, China
🔹 Nansha Terminal Automation Boosts Post-CNY Throughput (Feb 19): Guangzhou's Nansha Phase IV terminal, fully automated since late 2024, increased crane efficiency by 40% and handled a 20% volume surge to 1.5 million TEUs, mitigating pre-CNY congestion through AI-driven operations and BeiDou navigation. Labor costs dropped 60%, aiding recovery as exporters prioritize NEV shipments, with electric vehicle exports up 16% year-over-year.

🔹 Direct Route to Peru Enhances Intra-America Trade (Feb 22): A new direct sea route from Nansha to Chancay, Peru, reduced logistics times by 30 days and costs by 20%, facilitating exports of appliances and auto parts while boosting import flows of fruits and seafood. This expansion supports Guangzhou's role in Belt and Road initiatives, with throughput projected to rise 15% amid tariff responses and Red Sea rerouting effects.

Shanghai, China
🔹 Shanghai Congestion Drops as Factories Reopen (Feb 17): Post-CNY, Shanghai Port's average delays fell to 1-2 days from pre-holiday peaks of 3-4 days, with over 120 vessels cleared and throughput recovering to 4 million TEUs monthly, driven by semiconductor priority exports up 134% year-over-year. Carriers like Maersk reported ample space as demand softens slightly, though winter fog and vessel bunching added minor strains.

🔹 Green Terminal Upgrades Cut Emissions (Feb 20): Shanghai implemented stricter low-sulfur fuel mandates, reducing port emissions by 15% through enhanced bunkering infrastructure for LNG and methanol. This aligns with automation efforts, saving 20% in operational times and supporting export surges in electronics, amid global rate fluctuations from Red Sea diversions.

Tianjin, China
🔹 Tianjin Targets 35 Million TEU Capacity by 2035 (Feb 18): Tianjin Port announced plans to expand from 23 million TEUs in 2024 to 35 million by 2035, with new berths and automation boosting efficiency by 25% post-CNY. Current throughput rose 5% to 2 million TEUs monthly, focusing on NEV and bulk exports amid recovery from holiday shutdowns.

🔹 Smart Zero-Carbon Terminal Handles Record Volumes (Feb 21): Tianjin's zero-carbon terminal processed 500,000 TEUs in early 2026, using driverless vehicles and 5G tech to cut energy use by 30% and improve turnaround by 40%, aiding post-CNY surge in semiconductor flows.

Qingdao, China
🔹 Qingdao Port Export Surge in NEVs (Feb 19): Qingdao handled a 16-fold increase in hybrid and electric vehicle exports, reaching 100,000 units monthly, with post-CNY recovery pushing overall volumes up 10% to 2.5 million TEUs amid Belt and Road expansions.

🔹 New BRI Route to Southeast Asia (Feb 23): Qingdao opened a new route linking to Southeast Asia, enhancing intra-Asia growth and reducing transit times by 20%, supporting semiconductor and e-commerce exports while mitigating Red Sea impacts.

Vietnam
🔹 Vietnam Ports See 38% Trade Growth with US (Feb 17): Vietnam's ports like Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh handled 379,000 TEUs with the US, up 38% over five years, driven by manufacturing booms and new services from alliances like Gemini, with transit times averaging 33 days.

🔹 Cai Mep Becomes Transshipment Hub (Feb 20): Cai Mep Port's throughput rose 29% to 7 million TEUs, climbing to global top 30, with investments in free trade zones and green logistics tightening compliance and efficiency.

South Korea
Busan, South Korea
🔹 Busan Transshipment Volumes Hit Record (Feb 18): Busan Port processed 24.8 million TEUs in 2024, up 2%, with transshipments at 57% or 14.1 million TEUs, solidifying its hub status amid investments in feeder terminals worth $573 million.

🔹 Automated Terminal Launch Boosts Capacity (Feb 21): Busan's new automated container terminal added 1.5 million TEUs capacity, reducing delays by 20% and supporting semiconductor exports up 134% in early February.

Incheon, South Korea
🔹 Incheon Targets 3.6 Million TEU Throughput (Feb 19): Incheon Port Authority set a 2025 goal of 3.6 million TEUs, with cargo flights prioritized in expanded slots, aiding recovery in e-commerce and semiconductors.

🔹 Smart Cargo Terminal Development Advances (Feb 22): Plans for a new smart terminal by 2027 incorporate automation and robots, aiming to cut handling times by 30% and emissions by 25%.

United States
🔹 Winter Storm Fern Disrupts East Coast Ports (Feb 17): Winter Storm Fern caused closures at ports like Norfolk and Philadelphia, with delays up to 3 days and chassis shortages easing but drayage rates spiking 10% amid rail congestion in Chicago and Memphis.

🔹 West Coast Volumes Rise Amid Tariffs (Feb 20): US West Coast ports saw 20-30% volume increases, with imports from China up 7.9% year-over-year to 872,779 TEUs, though February declines of 12.5% reflected CNY and tariffs, straining capacity.

Bangladesh
🔹 Chittagong Strike Ends, Backlog Eases (Feb 18): Following a week-long strike over terminal leasing, Chittagong Port resumed operations, clearing backlogs with daily deliveries exceeding 5,000 TEUs and yard congestion dropping 15%.

🔹 Record Congestion Resolved Post-Polling (Feb 21): Port handled peak 45,377 TEUs amid protests, but recovery measures including enhanced inspections boosted efficiency by 10%, focusing on compliance and traceability.

Myanmar
🔹 Yangon Port Schedules 60 Container Vessels (Feb 17): Yangon Port lined up 60 container ships for February, up from 59 prior, handling increased intra-Asia volumes with expansions in rail-sea services.

🔹 Throughput Rises to 669 Vessels in 11 Months (Feb 20): Yangon processed 669 container vessels year-to-date, a 6% increase, with new feeder networks enhancing efficiency and recovery from regional disruptions.

Share this article :