- Blank sailings are decreasing, with a notable drop expected on key East-West trade routes through July.
- Port congestion remains a major concern, particularly in Europe, Asia, and the U.S. West Coast.
- Transpacific capacity is rising as carriers return and new players enter the market to leverage high freight rates.
- While ocean freight rates are stable, shippers should stay flexible amid continued market volatility.
The weekly Cancelled Sailings Tracker offers a clear view of the number of blank sailings announced by each shipping alliance compared to their scheduled sailings.
Weekly Market Trends and Port Disruptions
Global container shipping remains under pressure from ongoing disruptions and fluctuating freight rates. However, the number of canceled sailings on major East-West trade lanes is expected to decline, with projections indicating a 17% drop in June and a sharper 59% reduction in July.
Between weeks 25 and 29 (16 June to 20 July), a total of 58 blank sailings are scheduled out of 720 planned voyages, marking an overall cancellation rate of 8%. The highest share of these cancellations is expected on the Transpacific Eastbound route (43%), followed by Asia–North Europe and Mediterranean trades (40%), and the Transatlantic Westbound route (17%). Despite these adjustments, schedule reliability remains challenged, with 91% of weekly departures forecasted to run on time.
Port congestion continues to impact global supply chains. In Europe, waiting times for berth access reached up to 31 hours in Rotterdam and 39 hours in Antwerp last week. Asian ports, including Shanghai, Singapore, and Port Klang, are also experiencing growing delays, with transshipment operations in Singapore facing severe bottlenecks. On the U.S. West Coast, congestion at the Port of Los Angeles is causing vessel bunching, prolonged transit times, and added pressure on inland transportation links.
Transpacific Trade Picks Up Again
Transpacific trade lanes are seeing renewed activity as carriers resume previously suspended services. New entrants have also joined the market, aiming to benefit from strong freight rates. This has led to a 16% month-on-month increase in Asia–West Coast capacity for June, with an additional 8% growth expected in July. At the same time, carriers have scaled back blank sailings significantly—by 56% on the U.S. East Coast (from 10 to 4) and by 63% on the West Coast (from 28 to 10) between June and July.
Ocean freight rates remain steady. Drewry’s World Container Index held at $3,543, with a 1% rise in Transpacific rates, while Asia–Europe/Mediterranean and Transatlantic rates showed little to no change.
Despite signs of capacity recovery and pricing stability, market conditions remain uncertain. Shippers are advised to maintain flexibility in planning and to strengthen their relationships with carriers to better manage ongoing operational challenges.
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Source: Drewry Shipping
