- Between late May and late June, 6% of scheduled sailings on key East–West trade routes are cancelled, with most disruptions expected on the Transpacific Eastbound lane.
- The 90-day U.S.–China tariff truce has triggered a surge in Trans-Pacific shipping demand, pushing container spot rates higher and prompting carriers to reinstate services and increase vessel sizes.
- Despite efforts to boost capacity, tight space, congestion, and volatile conditions mean shippers face elevated costs, potential delays, and the need for flexible planning.
Our weekly Cancelled Sailings Tracker provides an overview of blank sailings announced by shipping alliances against the total scheduled voyages. Between weeks 22 (26 May–1 June) and 26 (23 June–29 June), there are 43 cancelled sailings out of 694 scheduled on the main East–West trade lanes—Transpacific, Transatlantic, and Asia to North Europe & Mediterranean—representing a 6% cancellation rate.
Trade Lane Impact and Outlook
Drewry forecasts that in the next five weeks, cancellations will mainly affect the Transpacific Eastbound route (51%), followed by Asia to North Europe & Mediterranean (33%), and Transatlantic Westbound (16%). Sailing reliability is expected to improve slightly, with about 94% of scheduled departures anticipated to sail on time. Among carriers, Gemini stands out, potentially achieving near-perfect schedule adherence.
Tariff Truce Drives Shipping Surge
The temporary 90-day U.S.–China tariff truce, ending 14 August, has spurred significant Trans-Pacific shipping activity. Importers are accelerating shipments to avoid possible future tariffs, causing a 27% increase in Transpacific container spot rates since early May, bolstered by general rate increases (GRIs).
Rate and Capacity Trends
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) rose 2% week-on-week to $2,276 per 40-foot container as of 22 May. Transpacific rates climbed 3%, Asia–Europe/Med rates rose 2%, while Transatlantic rates saw a slight decrease. Carriers are responding by reinstating suspended sailings and deploying larger vessels. Nevertheless, near-term capacity remains constrained due to vessel redeployments and congestion, particularly at Chinese ports.
Preparing for Volatility
In this dynamic environment, shippers should expect higher freight rates, tight space availability, possible delays, and equipment imbalances. With additional GRIs and peak season surcharges (PSSs) anticipated from 1 June, early planning and operational flexibility are crucial to navigate the challenges ahead.
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Source: Drewry
