The latest update from maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence (SI), analysing data from predominantly China-US Pacific rotations, shows that carriers have planned to blank 3.9% of the total capacity on Asia-North America West Coast routes.
This figure aligns closely with the pre-pandemic average and is comparable to the percentage observed in 2020.
This consistency suggests a cautious but steady confidence among carriers regarding demand for the remainder of the peak container season in 2024.
The decision to blank sailings is a strategic measure used to maintain freight rates and optimise fleet utilisation.
The modest 3.9% blanking rate indicates that carriers are not overly concerned about a significant drop in demand but are taking prudent steps to manage capacity effectively.
This approach reflects a broader industry trend of stabilisation and resilience following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the peak shipping season traditionally marked by increased demand due to retail stockpiling ahead of the holiday season, the current blank sailing plans suggest that carriers are anticipating a relatively robust market.
According to SI, the current level of planned blank sailings and capacity deployment provides a nuanced perspective on the carriers' confidence for this year’s demand peak.
While maintaining a cautious stance, the alignment with pre-pandemic averages underscores a stabilising market, indicative of a sector adapting well to the evolving global trade dynamics.
