Over the next 4 weeks, The Alliance has announced 20 cancellations, followed by 2M and Ocean Alliance with 14 and 6 cancellations, respectively, according to the latest Drewry report.
Around 80% of these blank sailings are occurring on Asia-North America and Asia-North Europe-Med trades during the first 2 weeks of October as factories close in China during Golden Week.
“This fall in services and volumes may help to relieve port congestion, particularly in the WCNA,” commented Drewry shipping consultants.
Across the major trades: Transpacific, Transatlantic and Asia-North Europe & Med, 43 cancelled sailings have been announced between weeks 39 and 42, out of a total of 524 scheduled sailings, representing an 8% cancellation rate.