Ocean carriers have once again announced a wave of cancelled sailings as post–Chinese New Year is showing signs of low demand.

With factories across China closed for the annual two-week holiday, shipping lines have already trimmed schedules for February and March. The move reflects expectations of a potential seasonal dip in cargo volumes across key trade lanes.

According to market data, 136 planned departures on the main east–west routes — including transpacific, Asia–Europe and transatlantic services — have been withdrawn this month, following bookings cooling sooner than anticipated in the build up to the current Chinese New Year.

The transpacific corridor has experienced the sharpest decline. Volumes in January were reportedly 7.5% lower than the same period last year, with ongoing US tariff pressures continuing to impact import demand and disrupt traditional shipping patterns.

Carriers have also announced over fifty blank sailings for next month so far, as they attempt to align capacity. Although some operators are hoping for a repeat of last year’s early peak-season recovery, forecasts suggest there could be muted growth throughout much of 2026.

At the same time, the supply continues to expand. Orders for new containerships have surged to historic highs and now represent roughly one-third of the global fleet’s existing capacity. If deliveries proceed as scheduled, the imbalance between supply and demand could deepen through 2028.

That said, container shipping remains unpredictable. Geopolitical developments, route diversions, slow-steaming strategies, congestion at major ports, a sudden return to Suez, and increased vessel scrapping all have the potential to shift the balance in the coming months.