The Maritime Port Bureau estimates that some ships may have to detour as a result of China's military exercises, which will increase the travel time. The exercises are expected to have the biggest impact on the ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung.
Operations were normal at the Port of Keelung on Aug. 4, and ships were seen entering and exiting the port area. However, some cargo ships were loaded and departed earlier than anticipated due to China's military exercises. At Yilan's Wushi Harbor, whale watching boats were departing on schedule. Many tourists were at the harbor and ready to see some whales.
Tourist: “( Reporter: “China's going to test-fire missiles in the open sea. You all are going out there to watch whales, aren't you all worried? ”) I didn't think too much about it.”
Whale watching boats at the Port of Hualien were also departing on schedule. One tour operator said it has not received any notifications from authorities about not heading out to sea, and no tourists have changed their minds about going.
If customers come and ask if there are any safety issues, we'll tell them that we haven't received any Coast Guard notifications telling us we can't go out to sea because there are dangers. The Maritime Port Bureau did issue an announcement asking ships to avoid the areas where China is conducting exercises and reminding them to pay attention to navigation safety. Taiwan International Ports Corporation, which operates Taiwan's ports, said operations are normal at all the ports and it will continue monitoring the situation.
Sean Lu, Spokesperson, Taiwan Int'l Ports Corporation: “With regards to the ports, we will conform to the country's basic safety and protection measures and the military exercises. We will avoid any outside interference and strengthen our monitoring.”
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications estimated that 100 or so ships may have to detour around the areas where the exercises are taking place. They will have the biggest impact on the Port of Keelung and Port of Kaohsiung.
大型吊臂，持續進行貨櫃裝卸作業，上午基隆港碼頭一如往常運作，船舶正常出入港區，受到共軍軍演影響，已有商船提早載貨出發，而在宜蘭的烏石港區，賞鯨觀光船也是如期發船，一早就有很多遊客準備出海遊玩。
記者問遊客：「中共要在外海試射飛彈，你們這樣賞鯨會不會擔心?」遊客說：「還好，沒有想太多。」
花蓮港區的賞鯨船，也照常出海，業者說，目前沒收到任何主管機關要求，不能出海的通知，遊客意願，也沒有因此被影響。
花蓮港賞鯨船業者表示：「客人來詢問說是不是會有安全上的部份的話，目前不管是相關的海巡單位海警單位，都沒有公文告知說，因為會有危險性的問題而禁止出海。」
交通部航港局已經發布「航船布告」，因應中共進行重要軍事演訓行動，呼籲軍演期間相關船隻避開演習區域，注意航行以策安全，負責港區作業的台灣港務公司表示，上午各港區都正常運作，將密切觀察最新情況。
台灣港務公司發言人盧展猷說：「港口的部分我們會配合，整個國家基礎安全的一個防護，配合軍演，我們避免有任何外力的介入，做加強的一個監控。」
交通部預估，因船舶避開軍演區域，接下來每天可能會有百艘船舶繞道，其中影響最大的，將是基隆港與高雄港。
