The container shipping industry is experiencing a surge in ‘blank sailings,’ where shipping routes are temporarily paused due to insufficient demand. This phenomenon has intensified due to trade tensions and tariffs, particularly affecting shipments between China and the US. Data from Sea-Intelligence indicates a 13% increase in blank sailings to the US West Coast this week, expected to rise to 28% the following week. The Port of Los Angeles anticipates losing 224,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of capacity due to 17 blank sailings in May. Experts warn that prolonged route cancellations could signify lasting structural changes in the global economy. Potential instability periods include late June to July, when reciprocal tariffs may be reimplemented, and October, when new fees for Chinese ships entering US ports could disrupt shipping networks. These changes could lead to higher costs for consumer goods.
— new from WIRED
