Trucking Fees Surge 300%, Major Chinese Ports Severe Congestion Ahead of CNY
Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-02-11 Origin: Site
As the Chinese New Year approaches, major ports across China have fallen into a severe congestion crisis, with logistics costs soaring and container rollover risks rising sharply.
From East China to South China, from coastal hubs to regional ports, core terminals including Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Shekou and Nansha are all seriously congested. Yards are full, gate appointment slots are extremely scarce, and shipping lines’ over-booking leads to frequent rollovers.Trucking and devanning fees keep rising, making pre-holiday shipments extremely difficult. The final window for shipments before the holiday has turned into a race against time.
Shanghai Port
Waigaoqiao Area is the worst-hit region, with over 4,000 laden containers backlogged.The port enforces a strict appointment system — no appointment, no entry.
Trucking fees up ~80%
Container rollover rate: 22%
Over-booking rate by carriers: 25%
From February 6, Shanghai Port adjusted its operation rules:the opening time is based on the actual vessel arrival, further squeezing the window for loading and gate-in.This means the traditional practice of “loading after port opening” will no longer meet the schedule.All cargo must be loaded in advance and ready for customs declaration and gate-in, otherwise vessels will likely be missed.
Yangshan Port is also under heavy pressure.Devanning fees have been rising daily, surging from ¥1,000+ to over ¥1,500 per container, bringing huge cost pressure to freight forwarders and shippers.
Ningbo Port
The port is operating at overcapacity.Terminal 1 (Beiyi) and Meishan Terminal have a yard utilization rate of nearly 95%, with appointment-only gate-in.Vessels will stop receiving if volume exceeds 20%, resulting in full-vessel rollovers.
Devanning fees: ¥1,500–2,000/container
Trucking fees up ~80%
Rollover rate: 30%
Over-booking rate: 30%
South China Ports
Congestion at Yantian, Shekou and Nansha has not eased and is even more severe than earlier reports.
Yantian Port
Yard is nearly saturated.About 1,500 return slots are taken within 1 hour every day.
Trucking fees surged from ¥1,800 to ¥5,000–5,500/container
Rollover rate: 40%
Over-booking rate: 60%
Shekou Port
SCT and CCT terminals are fully congested with almost no appointment slots available.Chiwan Port issued an alert: “route over-subscribed, stop booking”.
Trucking fees up 200%
Rollover rate: 40%
Over-booking rate: 40%
Nansha Port (Most Severe)
Phase II & III yard utilization exceeds 95%.Trucks commonly queue for over 6 hours.Since January 29, a new ETA‑5 rule is implemented:only laden containers within 5 days before ETA are accepted, together with a strict “triple penalty” policy.
Trucking fees up ~300%
Rollover rate: 55%
Over-booking rate: 60%
Causes & Industry Suggestions
Main Causes
Pre-holiday peak shipment rush
Shipping line over-booking (40%–60% above terminal capacity on some routes)
Shortage of trucking capacity
Lead time from factory to vessel has been extended from5–7 days to 10–14 days.
Recommendations
Arrange shipments well in advance
Prepare for significantly higher logistics costs
Confirm space and rollover terms with forwarders and carriers to minimize risks
