When a tropical cyclone warning reaches the higher signals, port operations, container yards and much of the trucking network wind down, and the airport moves to a reduced schedule. The system is orderly and well understood locally — but the disruption does not end when the signal is lowered. The backlog takes noticeably longer to clear than the storm takes to pass.
| Signal | Broad meaning | Typical cargo effect |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Standby | Operations normal, planning begins |
| No. 3 | Strong wind | Some crane and small-craft restrictions |
| No. 8 | Gale or storm | Most port, trucking and business activity stops |
| No. 9 | Increasing gale | Full suspension continues |
| No. 10 | Hurricane force | Everything stopped; recovery takes longest |
We plan around the recovery rather than the event. That means avoiding tight connections through the peak months where alternatives exist, building buffer into laycans, and being explicit with clients that a cleared warning is not the same as a cleared queue. It is a seasonal, recurring risk, which makes it one of the easier ones to price properly.
Harbour Strategies (HK) Limited · 16 July 2024
Editorial commentary by Harbour Strategies. Figures and regulatory details should be verified against primary sources before being relied upon.
