Container shipping traffic along transpacific routes is experiencing a significant decline due to the impact of US tariff policies on global trade. Shipping companies are being forced to cancel voyages at short notice because of a lack of demand. According to market intelligence firm Linerlytica, cargo bookings for the next three weeks have dropped by 30-60% in China and 10-20% in the rest of Asia. The high US tariffs have made it nearly impossible for many Chinese exporters to sell to the American market. Linerlytica noted that the ongoing US-China standoff continues to negatively affect container market sentiment, as the tariff concessions are insufficient to restore transpacific trade volumes. Data from China’s Ministry of Transport shows an immediate drop in demand following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs in early April. During the period of April 7-13, container throughput at Chinese ports fell by 6.1% week-on-week, reversing a 1.9% rise the previous week. Many transpacific shipping companies have resorted to blank sailings, which refers to carriers canceling scheduled voyages. The upcoming Labour Day holiday is expected to further reduce cargo demand in May, potentially leading to more canceled sailings in the coming weeks.
— new from South China Morning Post
