The Drewry Cancelled Sailings Tracker is a weekly monitoring tool designed to help shippers, logistics managers and supply chain planners understand shifts in container shipping capacity. Each week, Drewry reports the number of “blank sailings” announced across the major East–West trade routes. Blank sailings occur when carriers cancel a scheduled voyage, often to manage excess capacity, respond to weaker demand, or adjust networks during periods of schedule disruption. By comparing the number of cancellations with the total number of scheduled sailings, the tracker provides a clear and timely picture of how much capacity is actually being offered to the market.
Weekly analysis: 21 Nov 2025
Container freight rates are sliding fast again as weak demand and rising capacity overpower carriers’ recent GRI-driven attempts to lift the market.
Across the next five weeks, weeks 48 (24–30 November) and 52 (22–28 December), carriers have withdrawn 48 of 719 scheduled sailings—about 7%—with most cancellations on the Transpacific eastbound (48%), followed by Asia–Europe/Med (29%) and the Transatlantic westbound (23%).
Even so, 93% of departures are still expected to sail as planned.
November schedules show 81 cancelled sailings across the main East–West trades—down from 96 in October—effectively adding about 4% more capacity MoM. Looking ahead, December capacity is projected to rise 9% with so far only 35 blank sailings, keeping supply elevated and limiting the chances of any near-term rate recovery.
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) slipped slightly to $1,852 per 40ft on 20 November, with Asia–Europe/Med up 7%, Transatlantic up 1%, and Transpacific down 9%. Carriers may still try early-December GRIs or FAK hikes, but any gains are likely to be short-lived without stronger demand.
Rates are expected to remain under pressure through year-end.
Shippers should book early, stay flexible with cargo windows, and closely monitor GRI/FAK announcements as carriers continue adjusting services and deploying selective blank sailings to manage pricing during the winter lull.
Capacity discipline—not demand— is likely to shape market conditions in the months ahead, suggesting little certainty of lasting stability.
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Source: Drewry
