- Blank sailings surge with 64 cancellations across five weeks.
- Spot rates jump, but sustainability remains uncertain.
- Severe storms disrupt Asian terminals and delay schedules.
Carriers have cancelled 64 out of 719 sailings (9%) between weeks 50 of 2025 and 02 of 2026. A significant portion of these cancellations, about half, are on the Transpacific eastbound route, with 28% on the Transatlantic westbound and 22% on the Asia–Europe/Med route. December alone saw 50 cancellations, which effectively adds 7% more capacity month-over-month, while early January is projected to have 67 blanks, indicating a slight 1% dip in capacity, reports Drewry.
Spot Rates Rise, but Stability Remains Uncertain
Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) jumped 7% week-over-week to $1,927 per FEU on December 4, thanks to a 9% rise on the Asia–Europe/Med route and a 7% increase on the Transpacific route, although transatlantic rates dipped by 2%. With the global supply of vessels still high, there are lingering questions about how sustainable these rate increases will be.
Severe Storms Slow Operations Across Asia
Severe storms in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia have disrupted terminal operations, leading to delays, with Colombo being one of the hardest-hit areas before a gradual stabilisation occurred late last week.
ETS Surcharges to Increase Shipper Costs from 2026
Starting January 2026, a significant rise in ETS surcharges will impact all shipments related to the EU/EEA, adding more cost pressures as carriers adapt to new compliance requirements.
Market Outlook Remains Fragile
As the year wraps up, we’re facing a volatile mix of extra capacity, uneven demand, and ongoing tactical blank sailings. There’s also uncertainty about when carriers will resume transits through the Suez Canal.
Guidance for Shippers
To navigate this unpredictable market, shippers should remain flexible by:
- Keeping cargo windows adaptable
- Monitoring General Rate Increases (GRIs) and blank sailing schedules
- Staying updated on weather and port advisories
This proactive approach will help shippers manage a market that can change rapidly with little warning.
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Source: Drewry
