Maritime schedule cancellations, known in the industry as blank sailings, have become a recurring tool used by shipping lines to adjust capacity in response to demand.
According to monitoring by the consultancy Drewry, approximately 7% of global sailings scheduled between April and May have been cancelled across the main East–West trade routes of international commerce.

Although these adjustments are part of the normal management of maritime transport, their operational impact can be significant for importers and exporters if not properly anticipated.

What is a schedule cancellation in maritime transport?

A schedule cancellation occurs when a shipping line decides not to operate a specific sailing that was previously scheduled within a regular service, from a specific port and after a defined date. This decision does not mean the service or route is cancelled, but rather that a single vessel rotation is removed on a specific date and port of call. The service continues operating on subsequent scheduled sailings from other ports or on later dates.

Logistics impacts for importers and exporters

Schedule cancellations do not usually result in widespread disruption, but they can lead to relevant operational adjustments within the supply chain.

In this context, anticipation becomes a key factor in maintaining operational continuity.

Our team continuously monitors adjustments made by major shipping lines and coordinates solutions that help anticipate impacts, reduce operational risks, and ensure the continuity of international shipments.

Logistics planning amid capacity adjustments

When shipping lines adjust capacity, logistics moves beyond transportation and becomes scenario management.
Understanding how blank sailings affect routes enables companies to maintain operational continuity even during adjustment periods. Working with logistics partners that have local presence and schedule visibility supports a more agile and structured response to these changes.

How Fenix Global Cargo supports its clients

At Fenix Global Cargo, we support importers and exporters in planning their maritime operations by providing visibility into schedules, space availability, and logistics alternatives. Our team continuously monitors carrier adjustments and coordinates solutions that help anticipate impacts, reduce operational risk, and maintain the continuity of international shipments.

The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East is generating a new wave of disruptions in global trade. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy and maritime routes in the world, has caused a significant rise in oil prices, massive shipping route diversions and growing pressure on the global container market.

At the same time, the United States is considering temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil in an attempt to contain rising energy prices. However, while energy markets seek stability, global logistics chains are facing delays, port congestion and higher transportation costs.

Massive shipping route diversions

One of the most visible effects on global logistics has been the massive increase in shipping route diversions.
Data from logistics analytics platforms shows that ocean freight diversions have increased by more than 360%, rising from about 218 daily diversions to more than 1,000. More than 2,300 diversions were recorded in a single day, the highest level ever observed in the region.

This shift in routes is redirecting vessels to other ports in the Gulf and South Asia, including terminals in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and India. However, this logistical reconfiguration is also creating new bottlenecks. Some ports receiving redirected traffic are already experiencing significant increases in congestion and waiting times for vessel arrivals and departures.

Risk of container shortages and logistics congestion

The abrupt change in routes and disruption of maritime flow is beginning to generate pressure in the container market. When ships are delayed, diverted or waiting for operational instructions, containers also accumulate in certain regions. This can create imbalances between supply and demand for logistics equipment across different markets.

In addition, some shipping lines have suspended bookings to certain Gulf destinations due to operational and security restrictions, further reducing the capacity available for international shipping. This scenario increases the risk of container shortages in certain trade corridors and contributes to longer transit times.

Temporary easing of sanctions on Russian oil

Faced with rising energy prices and pressure on global markets, the United States is considering temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil. The measure aims to increase global crude supply and reduce the upward pressure generated by tensions in the Middle East. Several reports indicate that this decision could remain in place until the situation surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz stabilizes.
Although this decision focuses on energy markets, its indirect objective is to limit the impact of rising oil prices on the global economy and on transportation costs.

Logistics outlook remains uncertain

The following section contains speculative analysis based on the facts described above. These interpretations do not represent confirmed information or definitive predictions and should only be understood as potential scenarios derived from the current situation.

If tensions in the region continue, logistical impacts could persist for several weeks or months. Route diversions, port congestion and rising energy costs may continue to pressure international trade. In that context, logistics planning, route diversification and continuous monitoring of geopolitical developments become increasingly important for companies that depend on international maritime transport.

During January and February 2026, cargo transportation in China is facing significant pressure. Companies importing from the country are reporting difficulties in securing trucks, containers, vessel space, and internal logistics services. This situation is not the result of an isolated event or an unexpected disruption, but rather a recurring phenomenon in the Chinese calendar: Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.

In 2026, the holiday falls on February 17, but its logistical effects begin several weeks earlier and extend beyond the official holiday period.

The Pre-Closure “Rush” and the Start of the Chunyun Period

In late January and early February, China enters the most intense phase ahead of Chinese New Year. This period coincides with the start of Chunyun, considered the largest human migration in the world, which officially begins in early February and lasts until mid-March.
Although Chunyun is primarily associated with passenger transportation, its impact on cargo logistics is direct. Millions of workers travel from industrial hubs back to their hometowns, significantly reducing labor availability in factories, road transport, and port operations.

An Impact That Extends Beyond the Holiday

Although Chinese New Year is celebrated on February 17, disruptions do not end on that date. The reactivation of factories, transport, and logistics operations is typically gradual. In many cases, full normalization can take several weeks and extend into March or even April.
During this phased return, bottlenecks, accumulated delays, and imbalances between supply and transport demand often persist.

Final Considerations for Importers

Current difficulties in cargo transportation from China are the result of a well-identified annual cycle, but they remain critical nonetheless. Advancing bookings, monitoring real-time availability, and evaluating logistics alternatives are key actions to reduce risk during this period.
Working with a logistics operator that understands these cycles and has regional visibility can make the difference between a manageable delay and a prolonged supply chain disruption.

After months of decline, spot rates in container shipping took an unexpected turn in October. According to data from Xeneta, major routes from Asia to Europe and the United States saw significant increases: 38% on the U.S. West Coast (USWC), 23% on the East Coast (USEC), 18% to Northern Europe, and 9% to the Mediterranean.
This rebound caught cargo owners off guard as they prepare for 2026 contract tenders. But beyond the temporary relief, the market remains shaped by persistent overcapacity and geopolitical tensions that could define the year ahead.