The southern port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan may halt operations today due to the typhoon, while ports in China’s Fujian province — including Xiamen and Fuzhou — are also expected to be affected as the storm approaches.

MAP: Projected path of Typhoon Podul. CWA

The typhoon’s center was located 90 kilometres southeast of Taitung, moving west-northwest and expected to strike the sparsely populated Taitung County this afternoon, before sweeping across Taiwan and into the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s southern port, may suspend operations today due to the storm. Northern ports—Taichung, Hualien and Keelung—are expected to operate normally, a source said.

The Hong Kong Observatory has issued a storm warning ahead of Typhoon Podul, which is expected make its closest pass on Thursday morning. Bunkering operations in Hong Kong could be disrupted during this time.

After crossing southern Taiwan, the typhoon is forecast to make landfall in China between Xiamen and Jieyang on Thursday, according to Hong Kong’s weather agency. Ports in Fujian province, including Xiamen and Fuzhou, may be affected, another source noted.

In Zhoushan, bunker deliveries at the exposed Tiaozhoumen and Xiazhimen outer anchorages have been suspended since the weekend due to rough seas. However, operations continue without issues at the sheltered Xiushandong anchorage and Mazhi’s inner anchorage. Most suppliers remain unsure when full bunker operations will resume, with bad weather expected to intensify as Typhoon Podul approaches.

By Tuhin Roy

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