- Transpacific Eastbound Hit Hardest by Blank Sailings.
- Sailing Reliability Set to Improve to 92%.
- Gemini May Reach Full Schedule Adherence.
Between weeks 20 (12 May–18 May) and 24 (9 Jun–15 Jun), 58 sailings were blanked across the principal East–West trade lanes out of a total of 692 scheduled sailings—an 8% blanking rate. Most of these blank sailings are affecting the Transpacific Eastbound (62%), followed by Asia–North Europe & Med (24%) and Transatlantic Westbound (14%), reports Drewry.
Weekly Insight Provides Deeper Trade Analysis
Drewry’s Container Capacity Weekly Insight offers more detailed analysis by trade lane and alliance, including port waiting times for Los Angeles and Long Beach, and year-on-year comparisons.
Sailing Reliability Expected to Improve
Projections indicate a slight increase in schedule reliability during the next five weeks, with about 92% of weekly departures predicted to go according to plan. Gemini can realise 100% schedule compliance, although this will depend on whether carriers raise blank sailings to deal with capacity as demand softens.
US–China Trade Weakened by Tariff Hikes
US tariff increases on Chinese imports have kept China–US trade slowing down, cutting into manufacturing output and causing importers to postpone orders. Although some activity has returned cautiously, overall volumes of containers are low short term.
Transpacific Rates Stabilise While Other Lanes Weaken
Carriers have stabilised Transpacific freight rates via capacity cuts. Contrarily, Asia–Europe and Transatlantic route rates are falling because extra ships are being diverted from the Transpacific, creating a rise in available space.
Spot Rates Indicate Mixed Trends
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) Composite declined 1% week-on-week to $2,076 per 40ft container on 8 May. Asia–Europe/Med rates decreased by 5% and Transatlantic rates decreased by 3%, while Transpacific rates increased by 4%.
Red Sea Ceasefire Brings Cautious Optimism
A recent US–Houthi ceasefire increases the prospect of a return to Red Sea transits. Carriers, though, are likely to move slowly, with full Suez Canal transits contingent on better security. A reopening would ease capacity tightness and potentially temper freight rates.
Continuing Volatility Demands Prudence
Drewry still cautions shippers to stay vigilant and ready for additional operational disruptions, as market conditions continue to be volatile.
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Source: Drewry
