Shipping Companies Are Largely Grounded

In the next five weeks (weeks 37-41), 94 sailings were canceled between weeks 37 (9.15-18) and 41 (10.10-16), out of a total of 748 scheduled sailings on major routes such as Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Asian-Nordic and Asian-Mediterranean routes, for a cancellation rate of 13%. According to Drury's current issue, 64% of all air traffic during this period will take place on east-bound trans-Pacific trade routes. Twenty-three percent occurred on the Asia-Nordic and Mediterranean routes, and 13 percent on the westbound transatlantic routes.

There are threats of potential strikes at ports in Europe and western America, with Felixstowe facing a possible second general strike and a strike in the pipeline at the Port of Liverpool. But carriers have limited options to avoid Felixstowe because of the high density of container yards and Labour shortages in northern Europe. Due to the presence of a large number of air traffic, cargo ship voyage deferral and port hopping, capacity supply is still relatively tight. Congestion at European ports, particularly in Hamburg and Rotterdam, has caused more delays and taken longer for ships to return to Asia.