Cross-border traffic between Hong Kong and Shenzhen resumed at 13:15 on 26 July after the Shenzhen Bay Port was closed for more than eight hours due to Severe Tropical Storm Noul. The Shenzhen Port Office announced the reopening once wind speeds fell below safety thresholds, stating that the decision was made in consultation with Hong Kong authorities. All five franchised cross-border coach operators began phasing services back in within two hours, while limousine routes to Hong Kong International Airport restarted immediately to help stranded travellers catch evening flights. Logistics firms reported a backlog of around 600 cargo trucks waiting at the port; mainland customs extended clearance hours to 22:00 to ease the bottleneck. Shenzhen Bay is the only land crossing open 24 hours a day and is heavily used by technology and jewellery exporters shuttling between Hong Kong warehouses and factories in the Pearl River Delta. The temporary closure highlighted the vulnerability of just-in-time supply chains to extreme weather. Several manufacturers told Global Mobility News that they will re-evaluate contingency warehousing on the Hong Kong side to buffer future disruptions. Human-resources teams moving assignees across the boundary were advised to stagger reporting dates early this week, as transport operators warned of possible knock-on delays if additional rain bands sweep through the Greater Bay Area. Mobility vendors also reminded travellers that while the port is open, ferry links from Macau remain cancelled until sea conditions normalise.
