By Maria Kalamatas | July 29, 2025
Manila, July 29 — Container yards along Manila’s port look like a storm aftermath — toppled stacks, flooded access roads, and crews working around the clock to salvage operations. Typhoon Goring, which made landfall over the weekend, has left much of the Philippines’ logistics network struggling to get back on its feet.
“Half our yard is still underwater, and we’ve got vessels idling offshore,” said Ernesto Villanueva, operations manager for a major freight terminal operator. “We can’t move trucks in or out fast enough, and every hour adds to the pileup.”
Ports and airports paralyzed
Manila’s main container terminal is operating at less than 60 percent capacity, while Cebu’s port remains fully closed as crews repair damage to cranes and berths. Airlines have also canceled dozens of cargo flights, forcing exporters of electronics and fresh produce to scramble for alternative options.
Regional shipping lines have begun diverting vessels to Ho Chi Minh City and Port Klang, but those facilities are already facing congestion from diverted loads.
Shippers and forwarders face mounting losses
Exporters of semiconductors and tropical fruits — two of the Philippines’ top cargoes — are reporting multimillion-dollar losses as shipments sit stalled. Some freight forwarders are resorting to chartered aircraft at steep premiums to meet delivery deadlines for high-value goods.
“For exporters, the costs are brutal,” Villanueva said. “Charters aren’t sustainable, but neither is missing commitments to overseas buyers.”
Industry scrambles for recovery plans
Terminal operators are adding emergency shifts and working with government agencies to prioritize essential cargo, including relief supplies and high-value exports. Forwarders are urging clients to expect delays of up to a week as damaged infrastructure slows the pace of recovery.
Outlook for the weeks ahead
Meteorologists warn that more storms could form in the region over the next two weeks, adding urgency to recovery efforts. Analysts predict it could take until mid-August before Manila and Cebu ports return to normal capacity.
“If we get hit by another system before this clears, the entire Southeast Asian supply chain could seize up,” Villanueva said, surveying the waterlogged yard. “We’re running on borrowed time.”
