6.9-Magnitude Japan Quake & 7.1-Magnitude Venezuela Tremor Hit Successively: Why Did Two Powerful Earthquakes Have Such Different Impacts on Shipping? 日本6.9级、委内瑞拉7.1级接连强震：同样都是强震，为何对航运影响却截然不同？

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck offshore Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan on June 24 local time. Per data released by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter sits off eastern Honshu with a focal depth of roughly 50 km. Shortly after the quake, JMA issued alerts for coastal water fluctuations, yet later confirmed no tsunami was triggered, and no major ports have released operational suspension notices.

当地时间6月24日，日本东北岩手县近海发生6.9级地震。根据日本气象厅（JMA）及美国地质调查局（USGS）数据，震源位于本州东部近海，震源深度约50公里。地震发生后，日本气象厅一度提醒沿岸地区注意海面变化，但随后确认未引发海啸，各主要港口也未发布停运公告。

Nearly at the same time, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit northern Venezuela. Local authorities and international media reported partial building damage, road fissures and temporary shutdowns of public facilities, with relevant authorities launching post-quake emergency responses.

几乎同一时间，委内瑞拉北部发生7.1级地震。据当地官方及国际媒体报道，地震造成部分建筑受损、道路出现裂缝，部分公共设施一度暂停运行，相关部门启动灾后应急响应。

Similar Magnitudes, Different Shipping Impacts

同样都是强震，为何日本影响有限，委内瑞拉却更值得关注？

Public information available so far shows Japan’s recent earthquake may not halt operations at major ports, with no tsunami warnings or route adjustment circulars issued. Two core factors could explain the mild impact.

截至目前公开信息显示，日本此次地震并未造成主要港口暂停运营，也没有发布海啸预警或航线调整通知。影响原因主要有两点。

Japan Boasts One of the World’s Most Mature Anti-Seismic Port Systems

日本拥有全球最成熟的港口抗震体系之一。

Located along the Circum-Pacific Seismic Belt, Japan designs ports, quay cranes, terminals, breakwaters and oil & gas facilities to stringent anti-seismic standards. After the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, Japan further upgraded its port post-quake emergency protocols. Following strong tremors, port operators are expected to conduct immediate inspections of quay cranes, terminal structures, navigation channels and handling equipment, and resume operations rapidly once safety is verified. Therefore, absent tsunamis or severe infrastructure breakdowns, most ports are unlikely to suspend activities for long after a magnitude 6+ earthquake.

日本长期处于环太平洋地震带，港口建设、岸桥、码头、防波堤以及油气设施都按照较高抗震标准设计。经历2011年东日本大地震后，日本进一步完善了港口震后应急机制，发生较强地震后，港口通常会第一时间开展岸桥、码头结构、航道及装卸设备检查，在确认安全后迅速恢复作业。因此，只要没有海啸或重大基础设施损坏，大多数港口不会因为一次6级以上地震而长时间停摆。

Epicenter Location May Restrict the Quake’s Spillover Range

此次震源位置决定了影响范围有限。

The tremor’s epicenter lies off Iwate Prefecture, far from international shipping hubs including Tokyo Port, Yokohama Port and Nagoya Port. No widespread suspension announcements have been issued for northeastern Japanese coastal ports. From a shipping perspective, this incident may count as a localized safety event rather than a systemic supply chain disruption.

震源位于岩手县近海，距离东京港、横滨港、名古屋港等国际航运枢纽均有较远距离。目前，日本东北沿海港口也未发布大范围停航信息。因此，从航运角度来看，此次事件更多属于局部安全事件，而不是供应链事件。

Venezuela Faces Greater Post-Quake Logistics Vulnerabilities

相比之下，委内瑞拉的情况则有所不同。

Northern Venezuela concentrates the country’s core economic activities and port assets, with La Guaira Port, Puerto Cabello and other terminals handling containerized, general and partial energy cargoes. This region also acts as a vital transit node for Caribbean shipping lanes. If post-quake damage cripples roads, power supplies, communication networks or auxiliary port infrastructure, cargo consolidation, loading efficiency and terminal workflows may deteriorate significantly, even when main port structures remain intact. Compared with Japan, market players may need to prioritize Venezuela’s post-quake recovery pace over the earthquake’s magnitude itself.

委内瑞拉北部集中了全国重要的经济活动和港口资源，拉瓜伊拉港、卡贝略港等港口承担着集装箱、普通货物以及部分能源运输任务。同时，该地区也是连接加勒比海航线的重要节点。一旦震后道路、电力、通信或港区配套设施受损，即使港口主体结构没有受到严重影响，也可能影响货物集港、装船效率以及港口作业节奏。因此，相比日本，此次委内瑞拉地震后续更值得关注的是灾后恢复速度，而不是震级本身。

Secondary Hazards Triggered by Undersea Earthquakes

地震带来的次生风险

Undersea earthquakes themselves may not pose direct threats to vessels at sea, yet operators should stay alert to cascading secondary risks brought by seismic activity.

对于航行中的船舶而言，海底地震本身通常不会直接危及航行安全，需要警惕的是地震引发的一系列连锁反应。

Tsunamis and Abnormal Sea Conditions

首先是海啸和异常海况。

While Japan’s latest quake generated no tsunami warnings, vessels navigating near offshore subduction zones during major seismic events are advised to monitor local meteorological and tsunami alerts continuously. Large-scale fault displacement on the seabed may trigger abnormal sea surface fluctuations, amplified swells inside harbors, anchor dragging for anchored vessels and irregular stress on mooring lines alongside berths.

虽然此次日本地震没有引发海啸，但对于发生在近海俯冲带的大型地震而言，船舶仍建议密切关注当地气象和海啸预警。一旦海底发生大规模断层错动，可能引起海面异常波动、港内涌浪增强，甚至导致锚泊船走锚、靠泊船系缆受力异常。

Safety Risks to Port Infrastructure

其次是港口设施安全。

After earthquakes, terminals are likely to launch full inspections covering quay cranes, berth structures, loading arms and navigation aids. Loading and discharging operations may pause temporarily pending inspection clearance, with longer downtime expected for chemical and oil & gas terminals. For bulk carriers forced to suspend mid-operation, crews may need to adjust cargo stowage and vessel ballast promptly to avoid uneven hull stress that compromises navigation safety.

地震发生后，港口通常需要对岸桥、码头、输油臂、导航设施等进行全面检查。在检查完成前，装卸作业可能短暂停止，部分危险品码头和油气码头的恢复时间可能更长。对于散货船而言，如果装卸过程中突然停工，还需要及时调整货物配载和压载状态，避免船体受力不均影响安全。

Masters and seafarers should keep tracking NAVTEX warnings, port circulars and official notices issued by local maritime authorities. Vessel berthing schedules may require flexible adjustments based on real-time conditions pending further updates, instead of assessing risks solely by earthquake magnitude.

此外，船长和船员还应持续关注航行警告（NAVTEX）、港口通告及当地主管部门发布的信息，根据实际情况调整靠泊计划或等待进一步通知，而不是仅凭地震震级判断风险。

Shipping Supply Chain Risks amid Overlapping Natural Disasters

叠加事件下的航运风险

Successive strong earthquakes in Japan and Venezuela, flood-inducing persistent heavy rains across South and Southeast Asia, the official launch of North Atlantic hurricane season, and the active typhoon period in the Western Pacific may unfold concurrently across multiple regions.

从日本、委内瑞拉连续发生强震，到南亚、东南亚持续暴雨引发洪水，再到北大西洋飓风季正式开启、西太平洋进入台风活跃期，不同地区的极端天气和地质灾害几乎同时出现。

Though these incidents bear no direct causal links, they share one common trait: all could heighten uncertainties surrounding global supply chain operations.

这些事件彼此之间并没有直接关联，但却有一个共同特点：都增加了全球供应链运行的不确定性。

Port inspections delayed by earthquakes, terminal shutdowns triggered by typhoons, and inland transport disruptions from torrential rains may occur in sequence. When multiple hazards overlap, port recovery timelines, liner schedules and cargo circulation efficiency could all face mounting pressures.

今天可能是地震影响港口检查，明天可能是台风导致封港，随后又可能遇到暴雨造成铁路、公路运输中断。当这些事件叠加出现时，港口恢复时间、船期安排以及货物流转效率都会受到考验。

Global shipping has weathered multiple crises in recent years, including the pandemic, Red Sea security tensions, Panama Canal capacity restrictions and extreme weather events. The industry has gradually recognized a key reality: supply chain stability may not hinge on whether disasters strike, but on the system’s capacity for rapid recovery.

近年来，全球航运经历了疫情、红海局势、巴拿马运河限航以及极端天气等多重考验，也让行业逐渐认识到一个事实：决定供应链稳定性的，不是灾害是否发生，而是系统能否快速恢复。

The two recent earthquakes serve as typical examples. Despite the magnitude 6.9 tremor in Japan, well-established seismic-resistant infrastructure and complete emergency mechanisms may help terminals sustain largely normal operations, creating limited spillover effects on international shipping. In contrast, Venezuela’s relatively weaker infrastructure resilience means market participants may need to track its post-quake recovery trajectory closely.

此次地震就是一个典型例子。虽然日本震级达到6.9级，但依靠成熟的抗震设施和完善的应急机制，港口运营基本保持正常，对国际航运影响有限。而委内瑞拉由于基础设施韧性相对较弱，后续恢复进度更值得市场关注。

E-PORTS maintains long-term focus on global shipping markets. We may release real-time updates covering maritime disaster alerts, freight rates and port operational status. Supported by full-spectrum information monitoring, we synchronize all sudden market shifts to help enterprises optimize shipment planning and mitigate losses stemming from logistics delays. Our team delivers timely, accurate market intelligence and professional support, enabling vessels to navigate global critical shipping lanes safely and efficiently.For inquiries, please reach out via:

Whats App / We Chat：+86 13816101982

Email：contact@e-ports.com

E-PORTS长期聚焦全球航运市场，将持续推送海域灾害预警、航线运价、口岸运营等一手资讯，依托全域信息监测，同步各类突发变动，协助企业优化出货规划，规避物流延误损失。为客户提供及时、准确的市场信息与专业支持，助力船舶安全、高效通过全球关键航运通道。欢迎联系我们：

Whats App / We Chat：+86 13816101982

Email：contact@e-ports.com

References

USGS Earthquake Catalog

JMA Earthquake & Tsunami Bulletins

Reuters Reports on the 6.9-Magnitude Japan Earthquake

Reuters & AP Coverage of Venezuela’s 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake

IMO Guidelines on the Response of Ships to Tsunami and Other Natural Hazards

参考资料:

美国地质调查局（USGS）Earthquake Catalog

日本气象厅（JMA）地震与海啸公告

Reuters：日本6.9级地震相关报道

Reuters、AP：委内瑞拉7.1级地震灾情报道

国际海事组织（IMO）Guidelines on the Response of Ships to Tsunami and Other Natural Hazards

Disclaimer: All data and analysis within this article are compiled from public resources, provided solely for industry exchange and reference, and do not constitute investment advice or binding operational guidance. The shipping market may be affected by shifts in international trade, geopolitics, tonnage supply-demand balance, meteorological conditions and other variables, leading to evolving real-world circumstances. Readers are advised to conduct comprehensive assessments based on the latest market intelligence before making operational decisions.

免责声明：本文所载数据及分析均基于公开信息整理，仅供行业交流与参考，不构成任何投资建议或经营决策依据。航运市场受国际贸易、地缘政治、运力供需及天气等多重因素影响，实际情况可能发生变化，相关决策请结合最新市场信息综合判断。