In recent weeks, the maritime industry has witnessed a surge in blank sailings by MSC, particularly on routes connecting Asia to the US West and East Coasts.

The primary cause cited for this strategic adjustment is the impending Chinese New Year period, leading to a slowdown in demand which seems oddly less impacted with other tradelanes comparatively Asia-Europe or Asia-Africa, which should in a short time gradually amount to a seasonal surcharge and a crunch capacity situation in the US West Coast and East Coast in the weeks leading up to the CNY 24.

Here are the blank sailings notified by MSC for the Transpacific Routes:

While MSC reassures customers that contingency plans are in place, the initial detailed alternates have given way to a more general directive to "continue booking as usual." This shift has sparked concerns among forwarders regarding schedule reliability. The lack of clarity on alternative arrangements raises questions about the resilience of supply chains and underscores the importance of diversifying carrier portfolios. As disruptions continue to impact schedules and services, freight forwarder are urged to stay agile and explore backup options to mitigate potential challenges in the months ahead.