Ahead of China's Golden Week, shipping lines are making more significant adjustments to their schedules. For the coming week, 15 blank sailings have been announced on trans-Pacific services, compared to nine in the current week. Blank sailing means that a scheduled ship departure or individual port calls are cancelled.
Between Asia and Europe, the number of announced cancellations is also rising from three to seven. The carriers are responding to the holiday week from October 1-7, during which many factories and offices in China are closed. At the same time, they are attempting to balance supply and demand.
The Drewry World Container Index recently stood at USD 4,468 per 40-foot container and declined slightly. However, the average figure masks significant differences. While trans-Pacific rates remain high, Europe rates are facing stronger pressure.
For shippers, a blank sailing means more than just a week's delay. If a booking is rolled, pre-staged containers can remain at the terminal longer. Connecting trains, barge slots, and delivery dates must be rescheduled. After the holidays, a brief booking backlog is also expected to occur.