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Live fire exercise zones around Taiwan divert shipping

Live fire exercise zones around Taiwan divert shipping. The disruption ran from 2022-08-04 (4 August 2022) to 2022-08-10 (10 August 2022), 7 days, affecting Taiwan Strait, Kaohsiung. Kaohsiung averaged 36.6 calls per day during the event window against an expected 35.8 (+2.2%). Taiwan Strait averaged 239.1 transits per day during the event window against an expected 240.6 (-0.6%).

World Freight Monitor permanent record. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2022/military-exercises-taiwan-strait-2022/. Record last updated 2026-09-16.

Key facts

Started
2022-08-04 (4 August 2022)
Ended
2022-08-10 (10 August 2022)
Status
ended
Severity
3 Significant
Scope
chokepoint
Chokepoints
Taiwan Strait
Lanes
None
Countries
Taiwan, China
Confidence
medium: The announcement of the exercises and their completion come from the theater command as carried by the state news agency, and the zone window and the rerouting from one trade press report; Taiwan's own notice to mariners is no longer online, so no source here is an official one.
First reported
2022-08-02 (2 August 2022)
  • Severity basis: A restriction at a chokepoint; announced live fire zones closed water around Taiwan and in the Taiwan Strait to commercial traffic from noon on 2022-08-04, and ships were advised to route around them.

What happened

From noon on 2022-08-04 (4 August 2022) the People's Liberation Army held live fire exercises in zones around Taiwan, and merchant ships were told to keep clear of the water and airspace involved. The Eastern Theater Command announced the operations on 2022-08-02 (2 August 2022) after a visit to Taipei by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and named areas off the northern, southwestern and southeastern coasts of the island as well as long range firing in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's transport ministry told vessels to avoid the zones, several of which lay near commercial ports including Kaohsiung. Traffic inside the zones thinned on the first day and ships routed around the eastern side of the island. The announced windows ran to noon on 2022-08-07, and the command said on 2022-08-10 (10 August 2022) that it had finished.

Measured effect

Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait

Baseline (expected)
240.6 transits per day
Observed
239.1 transits per day
Change
-1.5 (-0.6%)
Standardised score
-0.1
Event window
2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10 (7 days)
Baseline window
2022-06-02 to 2022-07-27 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-19 (19 September 2026), data revision 1:62a0ebf7f480
Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan StraitTransits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait, 2022-05-26 (26 May 2022) to 2022-09-21 (21 September 2022): values ranged from 141 transits per day on 2022-09-06 to 360 transits per day on 2022-09-04, with a mean of 243.4 transits per day. The latest value, for 2022-09-21, was 188 transits per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.01002003004002022-05-262022-07-242022-09-21
Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait, 2022-05-26 (26 May 2022) to 2022-09-21 (21 September 2022): values ranged from 141 transits per day on 2022-09-06 to 360 transits per day on 2022-09-04, with a mean of 243.4 transits per day. The latest value, for 2022-09-21, was 188 transits per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait (transits per day).
Datetransits per day
2022-05-26250
2022-05-27235
2022-05-28239
2022-05-29229
2022-05-30270
2022-05-31244
2022-06-01252
2022-06-02253
2022-06-03259
2022-06-04229
2022-06-05226
2022-06-06252
2022-06-07259
2022-06-08234
2022-06-09246
2022-06-10256
2022-06-11254
2022-06-12234
2022-06-13246
2022-06-14257
2022-06-15241
2022-06-16228
2022-06-17213
2022-06-18249
2022-06-19243
2022-06-20236
2022-06-21229
2022-06-22241
2022-06-23222
2022-06-24237
2022-06-25261
2022-06-26266
2022-06-27234
2022-06-28228
2022-06-29246
2022-06-30241
2022-07-01230
2022-07-02204
2022-07-03239
2022-07-04211
2022-07-05250
2022-07-06232
2022-07-07233
2022-07-08231
2022-07-09294
2022-07-10246
2022-07-11262
2022-07-12244
2022-07-13224
2022-07-14225
2022-07-15212
2022-07-16237
2022-07-17253
2022-07-18226
2022-07-19232
2022-07-20239
2022-07-21203
2022-07-22254
2022-07-23279
2022-07-24249
2022-07-25238
2022-07-26252
2022-07-27272
2022-07-28233
2022-07-29242
2022-07-30280
2022-07-31255
2022-08-01192
2022-08-02219
2022-08-03278
2022-08-04241
2022-08-05232
2022-08-06253
2022-08-07255
2022-08-08255
2022-08-09230
2022-08-10208
2022-08-11187
2022-08-12230
2022-08-13245
2022-08-14244
2022-08-15232
2022-08-16226
2022-08-17239
2022-08-18245
2022-08-19229
2022-08-20234
2022-08-21250
2022-08-22234
2022-08-23240
2022-08-24252
2022-08-25202
2022-08-26207
2022-08-27227
2022-08-28240
2022-08-29256
2022-08-30268
2022-08-31308
2022-09-01262
2022-09-02231
2022-09-03228
2022-09-04360
2022-09-05239
2022-09-06141
2022-09-07264
2022-09-08318
2022-09-09279
2022-09-10334
2022-09-11327
2022-09-12234
2022-09-13281
2022-09-14242
2022-09-15183
2022-09-16252
2022-09-17286
2022-09-18255
2022-09-19261
2022-09-20219
2022-09-21188

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Port calls, Kaohsiung

Baseline (expected)
35.8 calls per day
Observed
36.6 calls per day
Change
+0.8 (+2.2%)
Standardised score
+0.1
Event window
2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10 (7 days)
Baseline window
2022-06-02 to 2022-07-27 (56 valid days)
Method
wfm-effect-1.0
Computed
2026-09-19 (19 September 2026), data revision 1:ee15fff74908
Port calls, KaohsiungPort calls, Kaohsiung, 2022-05-26 (26 May 2022) to 2022-09-21 (21 September 2022): values ranged from 21 calls per day on 2022-09-03 to 46 calls per day on 2022-07-11, with a mean of 35.5 calls per day. The latest value, for 2022-09-21, was 31 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.010203040502022-05-262022-07-242022-09-21
Port calls, Kaohsiung, 2022-05-26 (26 May 2022) to 2022-09-21 (21 September 2022): values ranged from 21 calls per day on 2022-09-03 to 46 calls per day on 2022-07-11, with a mean of 35.5 calls per day. The latest value, for 2022-09-21, was 31 calls per day. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Port calls, Kaohsiung (calls per day).
Datecalls per day
2022-05-2627
2022-05-2735
2022-05-2835
2022-05-2928
2022-05-3038
2022-05-3139
2022-06-0136
2022-06-0243
2022-06-0338
2022-06-0433
2022-06-0537
2022-06-0640
2022-06-0744
2022-06-0837
2022-06-0934
2022-06-1036
2022-06-1133
2022-06-1239
2022-06-1341
2022-06-1431
2022-06-1533
2022-06-1628
2022-06-1737
2022-06-1831
2022-06-1943
2022-06-2038
2022-06-2136
2022-06-2229
2022-06-2335
2022-06-2440
2022-06-2541
2022-06-2633
2022-06-2738
2022-06-2832
2022-06-2943
2022-06-3033
2022-07-0139
2022-07-0227
2022-07-0328
2022-07-0441
2022-07-0542
2022-07-0639
2022-07-0733
2022-07-0835
2022-07-0937
2022-07-1036
2022-07-1146
2022-07-1234
2022-07-1333
2022-07-1438
2022-07-1539
2022-07-1631
2022-07-1736
2022-07-1835
2022-07-1933
2022-07-2031
2022-07-2130
2022-07-2239
2022-07-2341
2022-07-2444
2022-07-2536
2022-07-2636
2022-07-2740
2022-07-2823
2022-07-2944
2022-07-3027
2022-07-3142
2022-08-0132
2022-08-0237
2022-08-0324
2022-08-0430
2022-08-0537
2022-08-0641
2022-08-0737
2022-08-0837
2022-08-0943
2022-08-1031
2022-08-1132
2022-08-1231
2022-08-1336
2022-08-1430
2022-08-1546
2022-08-1630
2022-08-1736
2022-08-1835
2022-08-1935
2022-08-2034
2022-08-2141
2022-08-2238
2022-08-2332
2022-08-2431
2022-08-2542
2022-08-2636
2022-08-2740
2022-08-2836
2022-08-2931
2022-08-3038
2022-08-3139
2022-09-0140
2022-09-0232
2022-09-0321
2022-09-0435
2022-09-0532
2022-09-0627
2022-09-0735
2022-09-0843
2022-09-0946
2022-09-1035
2022-09-1124
2022-09-1241
2022-09-1329
2022-09-1427
2022-09-1529
2022-09-1644
2022-09-1741
2022-09-1836
2022-09-1936
2022-09-2031
2022-09-2131

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Replay

Replay: Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan StraitTransits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait, 2022-06-05 (5 June 2022) to 2022-09-03 (3 September 2022): values ranged from 187 transits per day on 2022-08-11 to 308 transits per day on 2022-08-31. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.01002003004002022-06-052022-09-03
Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait, 2022-06-05 (5 June 2022) to 2022-09-03 (3 September 2022): values ranged from 187 transits per day on 2022-08-11 to 308 transits per day on 2022-08-31. The shaded band marks the event window, 2022-08-04 to 2022-08-10.

Source: IMF PortWatch (portwatch.imf.org), International Monetary Fund, using UN Global Platform AIS data. Statistics derived by World Freight Monitor. Terms. Retrieved 2026-11-10 (10 November 2026).

Transits, all vessel types, Taiwan Strait (transits per day), daily values shown in the replay.
Datetransits per day
2022-06-05226
2022-06-06252
2022-06-07259
2022-06-08234
2022-06-09246
2022-06-10256
2022-06-11254
2022-06-12234
2022-06-13246
2022-06-14257
2022-06-15241
2022-06-16228
2022-06-17213
2022-06-18249
2022-06-19243
2022-06-20236
2022-06-21229
2022-06-22241
2022-06-23222
2022-06-24237
2022-06-25261
2022-06-26266
2022-06-27234
2022-06-28228
2022-06-29246
2022-06-30241
2022-07-01230
2022-07-02204
2022-07-03239
2022-07-04211
2022-07-05250
2022-07-06232
2022-07-07233
2022-07-08231
2022-07-09294
2022-07-10246
2022-07-11262
2022-07-12244
2022-07-13224
2022-07-14225
2022-07-15212
2022-07-16237
2022-07-17253
2022-07-18226
2022-07-19232
2022-07-20239
2022-07-21203
2022-07-22254
2022-07-23279
2022-07-24249
2022-07-25238
2022-07-26252
2022-07-27272
2022-07-28233
2022-07-29242
2022-07-30280
2022-07-31255
2022-08-01192
2022-08-02219
2022-08-03278
2022-08-04241
2022-08-05232
2022-08-06253
2022-08-07255
2022-08-08255
2022-08-09230
2022-08-10208
2022-08-11187
2022-08-12230
2022-08-13245
2022-08-14244
2022-08-15232
2022-08-16226
2022-08-17239
2022-08-18245
2022-08-19229
2022-08-20234
2022-08-21250
2022-08-22234
2022-08-23240
2022-08-24252
2022-08-25202
2022-08-26207
2022-08-27227
2022-08-28240
2022-08-29256
2022-08-30268
2022-08-31308
2022-09-01262
2022-09-02231
2022-09-03228

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Timeline

  1. The Eastern Theater Command announces joint military operations in the water and airspace around Taiwan, including long range live firing in the Taiwan Strait and missile tests off the eastern coast. [s1]
  2. The exercises begin at noon in six zones announced to run until noon on 2022-08-07. Traffic inside them falls during the day, ships route around the eastern side of the island at a cost of about three days, and Taiwan's transport ministry tells vessels to avoid the areas. [s3]
  3. The Eastern Theater Command says it has completed all tasks in the series of operations around Taiwan and will continue patrols in the strait. [s2]

Cause

The Eastern Theater Command said the exercises were a response to what it called an escalation by the United States on the Taiwan question and a warning against moves towards Taiwanese independence. Attributed by: People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command. [s1] [s2]

Resolution

2022-08-10 (10 August 2022): The announced zone windows expired at noon on 2022-08-07, and the Eastern Theater Command said on 2022-08-10 that the operations were finished, after which commercial routing around Taiwan returned to its usual pattern. [s2] [s3]

Corrections

No corrections to this record as of 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026).

Sources

  1. [s1] Xinhua, PLA Eastern Theater Command to launch joint military operations around Taiwan Island, published 2022-08-03 (3 August 2022), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  2. [s2] Xinhua, PLA Eastern Theater Command fulfills all tasks of joint military operations around Taiwan, published 2022-08-10 (10 August 2022), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)
  3. [s3] TIME, China's Military Exercises Around Taiwan Are Forcing Shippers to Change Routes, published 2022-08-04 (4 August 2022), accessed 2026-09-15. Archived copy. (press)

Cite this record

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Plain text

World Freight Monitor. "Live fire exercise zones around Taiwan divert shipping." Last updated 2026-09-16 (16 September 2026). https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2022/military-exercises-taiwan-strait-2022/

APA

World Freight Monitor. (2026). Live fire exercise zones around Taiwan divert shipping. World Freight Monitor. https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2022/military-exercises-taiwan-strait-2022/

BibTeX

@misc{wfm_military_exercises_taiwan_strait_2022,
  author = {{World Freight Monitor}},
  title = {Live fire exercise zones around Taiwan divert shipping},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Last updated 2026-09-16},
  url = {https://worldfreightmonitor.com/events/2022/military-exercises-taiwan-strait-2022/}
}