- Global container shipping remains under pressure due to trade policy shifts, changing demand patterns, and capacity imbalances.
- Between Week 33 and Week 37, 43 blank sailings are planned, mostly on Transpacific eastbound routes.
- Drewry WCI fell for the eighth consecutive week to $2,424, with Transpacific and Asia–Europe/Med rates declining.
- Shippers are advised to maintain close coordination and flexibility to manage potential disruptions.
Global container shipping markets continue to face pressure amid ongoing trade policy shifts, changing demand patterns, and increasing capacity imbalances. While the latest tariff developments have not sparked the same urgency seen in earlier cycles, carriers are making service adjustments to align with evolving market conditions, according to the report published by Drewry.
Between Week 33 (August 11–17) and Week 37 (September 8–14), a total of 43 blank sailings are planned out of 720 scheduled sailings on key East–West trade lanes, representing a 6% cancellation rate. Nearly half of these blank sailings (49%) are on the Transpacific eastbound route, followed by 33% on Asia–North Europe and Mediterranean routes, and 19% on the Transatlantic westbound route. During this period, 94% of weekly scheduled departures are expected to operate as planned.
Freight rates remain under downward pressure. As of August 7, the Drewry World Container Index (WCI) fell for the eighth consecutive week, declining 3% week-on-week to $2,424. Transpacific rates dropped 6%, Asia–Europe and Mediterranean rates slipped 2%, while Transatlantic rates remained stable. Rates are expected to soften further in the short term. Given the dynamic market environment and continuing network adjustments, shippers are encouraged to stay in close contact with carriers and logistics partners, plan, and maintain flexibility in supply chains to mitigate potential disruptions.
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Source: Drewry
