Maersk and MSC Announce Chinese New Year Blank Sailings: 16 Voyages Canceled on US-Europe Routes
Details of the Blank Sailings Plan
According to the announcements, the cancellations are concentrated around the Chinese New Year period, spanning late January to mid-February 2024, affecting key east-west trade lanes:
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Trans-Pacific routes: 10 sailings canceled, covering various US West Coast and US East Coast services.
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Asia-Europe routes: 6 sailings canceled, including services to North European and Mediterranean ports.
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Affected services: Include Maersk's AE12 and AE7 loops, as well as MSC's Silk and Lion services, among others.
The carriers stated that this is a routine capacity management measure during the annual Chinese New Year period, aimed at balancing supply with reduced demand and stabilizing freight rates. The canceled sailings are primarily scheduled around the holiday period when factories and businesses in China and across Asia shut down or reduce operations, leading to a significant drop in shipping volumes.
Expert Perspectives
Industry analysts at Sea-Intelligence noted, "This blank sailing program reflects carriers' cautious demand forecasting in the current market environment. In today's global economic climate, more precise capacity management supports the overall health of the industry."
Several freight forwarders indicated that despite the cancellations, overall capacity remains sufficient to meet demand. Compared to the supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, current capacity adjustments appear more orderly and predictable.
Looking Ahead
Cargo demand is expected to gradually recover from late February as factory operations resume post-holiday. Carriers have stated they will closely monitor market conditions and adjust capacity deployment accordingly. Industry observers anticipate that the global container shipping market in 2024 will continue to seek a new equilibrium, with carriers' strategies increasingly focused on agility and sustainability.
Both Maersk and MSC confirmed they have notified affected customers through their client communication systems and are assisting with logistics adjustments to minimize supply chain disruption.