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Joint Typhoon Warning Center
By Alex Lennane
Hong Kong and southern China are bracing for the impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa tonight, with factories closing, and high levels of disruption expected for air and sea operations in the busy run-up to Golden Week.
This morning, Guangdong province, home to significant global manufacturing, upgraded its alert to Level 1 – the highest in a four-level system. According to SCMP, more than 10 cities, including Shenzhen, have announced the closure of factories and transport systems.
Hong Kong International Airport said it would continue operations, but anticipates “significant disruption to flight operations… from 6pm on 23 September to 24 September”.
Cathay Cargo said “a number of flights … have been affected”, adding: “Based on the latest weather forecast and expected operating conditions, departing flights will resume progressively from Thursday morning.
“Further flight delays and cancellations may be required based on weather conditions and the typhoon’s path over the coming two days.”
It advised customers to visit its ‘Check Flight Availability’ option.
Seko Logistics told customers “Guangzhou Airport has cancelled all flights until Wednesday evening. This will further strain cargo capacity ahead of the Golden Week holiday and is likely to cause inventory clearance delays of around three to seven days.
“Shippers may consider diverting cargo to alternative airports such as Xiamen (XMN) or Ezhou (EHU).”
It added that Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport had “cancelled 210 departing flights and 319 incoming flights. Delays of around two to three days are expected for all air freight shipments”.
Seko warned that ocean operations would also be restricted.
“To prepare for the typhoon, port operations have been suspended in Yantian, Nansha, Shekou, and Hong Kong. Terminal operations will be suspended until the typhoon has left the South China coast, but officially at least till 6am on 24 September.”
It added that there would be delays at Guangzhou and Shenzhen ports.
“Sea freight will experience delays of three to seven days following the typhoon. Feeder services were suspended [yesterday], and mother vessel schedules will be postponed.
“Shenzhen CFS consolidation hub closed at midday today and will reopen upon further notice.”
Kintetsu World Express warned that Taiwan was also facing restrictions.
“In Taiwan, coastal and marine conditions are deteriorating; Kaohsiung Port and Keelung Port are preparing for weather-related slowdowns.”
Super Typhoon Ragasa is expected to make landfall on the South China coast early Wednesday morning, with hurricane-force winds of up to 230kph (143mph) predicted.
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