Tag Archive for: market

BCO’s Put Pen to Paper as Spot Rates Stabilize

Welcome to our latest Market Watch update, where we delve into the ever-shifting dynamics of sea and air freight. From the intricacies of Asia-to-North America routes to the latest trends in contract negotiations for 2024-2025, we analyze the key developments shaping the industry. As supply and demand economics prevail in sea freight, and air freight rates remain elevated due to disruptions and e-commerce demand, we provide insights into the evolving landscape. Stay tuned as we explore fixed-rate contracts for the coming year and offer recommendations for navigating the complexities of global logistics.

In a market driven by rapid rate swings and geopolitical volatility, having a Control Tower platform with real-time data is no longer a luxury — it is the foundation of a resilient supply chain strategy.

CAPTAIN CONTROL TOWER

Quantify your exposure in 20 minutes

Our trade strategists run your last 90 days of entries through Captain to surface refund eligibility, Section 232 traps and PNTR risk.

EXPLORE CAPTAIN

Ocean Freight: Asia to North America

The first quarter of 2024 set the stage for a complex contract season, with market conditions heavily influenced by the ongoing Red Sea crisis, Panama Canal restrictions, and evolving carrier capacity strategies.

Capacity vs. Demand: A Shifting Balance

Supply and demand economics prevailed through the early months of 2024, as capacity continued to outpace demand while simultaneously accounting for the longer distances and transit times required by Red Sea and Panama Canal detours. The U.S. East Coast showed significantly more available capacity than the West Coast, with some WC voyages reaching full utilization.

Carrier capacity was expected to increase in May to its highest point in 17 months, driven largely by the tonnage impact of vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope — a counterintuitive result where longer voyages effectively removed ships from the available capacity pool, even as new builds entered the market.

These dynamics are a textbook example of the supply chain challenges that global logistics professionals navigate — where headline capacity numbers tell only part of the story, and effective routing and booking strategies determine which shippers get their cargo moved on schedule.

Red Sea Crisis and Routing Implications

The Red Sea disruption continued to be the dominant structural force reshaping global ocean freight in early 2024. Vessels avoiding the Suez Canal and rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope added approximately 10-14 days to transit times on Asia-to-Europe and some Asia-to-U.S. East Coast routes. The capacity absorption effect of these longer voyages was one of the key reasons spot rates remained elevated even as new vessel capacity technically continued to enter the market.

For importers evaluating their supply chain risk management strategies, the Red Sea situation reinforced the value of maintaining multiple carrier relationships and flexible port options rather than relying on a single routing plan.

Contract Season 2024-2025: BCOs Sign at Higher Rates

One of the defining stories of the Q1-Q2 2024 period was the behavior of Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs) in the annual contract market — and the terms that defined the 2024-2025 fixed-rate agreements.

BCO Signing Activity and Rate Levels

BCOs began signing carrier contracts at rates 12-17% above the prior year, reflecting the sustained elevation of ocean freight costs relative to the historically low rates of 2023. For many importers, the decision to lock in annual contracts offered budget predictability in exchange for potentially missing out on further spot market softening — a trade-off that made more sense as geopolitical risks kept downside limited.

Use our tariff calculator to model the landed cost impact of rate changes across different trade lanes and product categories.

2024-2025 Fixed-Rate Contract Terms

The following terms were widely applicable to new Named Account Contract (NAC) agreements signed during this period:

  • MQC requirement: At least 300 TEU for each NAC
  • Weekly MQC: At least 4 TEU per week on a single port pair
  • Validity: May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025
  • Bunker surcharges: Inclusive of Q2 costs, backed out at time of filing, floating quarterly per tariff
  • Included surcharges: GRI, DTHC, ACC, Panama Canal surcharge, and Suez Canal surcharge
  • Conditional surcharges: ISPS, TSC, Carbon Tax if applicable
  • PSS: Subject to mutual agreement
  • Cargo: General cargo of legal weight only
  • Approval: Subject to carrier’s final approval and contract filing

Our trade advisory services team works directly with importers to evaluate contract terms against their volume profiles, commodity mix, and risk tolerance before signing.

Tariff Response Unit

Audit your derivative HTS exposure

Our brokers will review your top 50 derivative HTS lines and flag Section 232 valuation risk before CBP does.

Get the Audit

Air Freight: Volume Growth and Elevated Rates

Air cargo markets in early 2024 were characterized by strong year-on-year demand growth and rates that remained well above historical norms — a combination driven by structural e-commerce demand and ocean freight disruptions pushing cargo toward air alternatives.

Strong Volume Growth Continues

Year-on-year global tonnage data showed air cargo volumes up by +8%, with February marking the third consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year demand growth according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The sustained momentum was driven by:

  1. E-commerce demand: Chinese platforms continuing to ship high volumes of direct-to-consumer goods via air to meet delivery time commitments.
  2. Ocean freight diversion: Shippers unable to secure reliable ocean capacity — or unwilling to absorb the added transit time of Cape of Good Hope rerouting — shifted cargo to air lanes.
  3. Post-pandemic restocking: Retailers accelerating inventory replenishment ahead of peak season added incremental volume across both ocean and air channels.

For shippers evaluating when air makes sense versus ocean, the comparison is never purely about rate — transit time, inventory carrying cost, and product perishability all factor in. Our guide to air vs. ocean freight breaks down the key decision criteria.

Key Industry Developments in the Period

Several significant events shaped freight markets in this period:

  • Trans-Pacific blank sailings reduced: Carriers began blanking fewer trans-Pacific sailings than in the prior two years, as longer Red Sea rerouting voyages continued to absorb capacity that would otherwise be surplus. Capacity on Asia-U.S. trades was set to reach its highest level in 17 months in May.
  • Chinese import restrictions expanding: U.S. Customs and Border Protection was expected to add more Chinese companies to the forced labor import ban list, with compliance implications for importers of affected goods. Understanding Section 301 tariffs and related trade restrictions is essential for affected supply chains.
  • Air cargo volumes surge: IATA’s February data confirmed an 11.9% jump in air cargo volumes year-on-year, reinforcing the structural demand story across the air freight market.
  • USPS air cargo contract awarded: UPS won the dominant air cargo contract for the U.S. Postal Service, replacing FedEx for the first time in more than 20 years — a significant shift in domestic air logistics infrastructure that would influence capacity allocation across the broader market.
  • De minimis crackdown: The U.S. government announced plans to crack down on e-commerce import methods favored by Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein, which had previously allowed low-value shipments to flow into the U.S. with minimal duties and scrutiny. Understanding changes to the de minimis rule is increasingly important for e-commerce shippers and 3PLs managing direct-to-consumer volumes.
  • Baltimore rerouting data: Early data from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse showed trucks and ships actively rerouting through alternative ports and corridors, with supply chain data providers beginning to map the real-world impact on freight flows and transit times.

Strategic Takeaways for Shippers

The early 2024 market environment contained important lessons for importers, exporters, and logistics managers navigating a structurally more complex supply chain landscape:

  1. Carrier relationships matter: In a market where carriers prioritize higher-paying cargo and BCOs are locking in annual rates, having strong relationships with your forwarder and carrier contacts is a competitive advantage.
  2. Fixed vs. spot requires scenario modeling: The 12-17% premium BCOs paid over prior-year rates sounds high — but against a spot market that could spike significantly higher during peak, fixed rates offered real risk protection.
  3. Understand your trade compliance exposure: The expanding forced labor import ban list and de minimis changes add compliance complexity that goes well beyond freight booking. Consult trade advisory services before issues reach your port of entry.
  4. Use real-time visibility tools: In a market with this much disruption — from Red Sea security threats to port congestion to canal restrictions — the ability to track ocean, air, and land freight in a single dashboard is a genuine operational advantage.
  5. Plan for consolidation opportunities: For shippers without BCO-level volumes, a smart freight consolidation guide strategy can help access better rates and carrier prioritization during tight capacity periods.

Questions? All you have to do is contact us.

/by

Rates Continue to Slide

Welcome to our latest Market Watch update, where we dive into the ever-evolving landscape of sea and air freight. From shifts in market dynamics on the Asia to North America route to ongoing challenges at West Coast ports, we analyze the key trends impacting the industry. We also explore the implications of recent alliance renewals and offer insights into what to expect in the coming weeks. Join us as we navigate the complexities of global trade and share recommendations for optimizing your cargo movements.

For shippers managing multi-modal freight, real-time data is not a luxury — it is a competitive necessity. The ability to track ocean, air, and land freight in one unified dashboard gives operations teams the situational awareness needed to make fast, informed decisions when market conditions shift.

CAPTAIN CONTROL TOWER

Quantify your exposure in 20 minutes

Our trade strategists run your last 90 days of entries through Captain to surface refund eligibility, Section 232 traps and PNTR risk.

EXPLORE CAPTAIN

Alliance Developments

The carrier alliance landscape saw a significant confirmation this period, with long-term implications for service reliability and routing options across major trade lanes.

Ocean Alliance Renewal Through 2032

The Ocean Alliance — comprising CMA CGM Group, COSCO Shipping, Evergreen, and OOCL — confirmed the renewal of their partnership through 2032. The alliance is positioning itself as the stable and reliable option for shippers seeking predictable service on key East-West trade lanes. Following the renewal, effective April 2024, shippers should be aware of upcoming service adjustments across several routes as the partners optimize their combined network.

Understanding how alliance restructuring affects your available services and transit times is part of effective supply chain risk management. When alliances reconfigure, equipment availability, port calls, and transit times can all shift — sometimes with limited advance notice.

West Coast Port Conditions

West Coast port performance continues to create planning challenges for importers routing cargo through the Los Angeles and Long Beach gateway.

LA/LB Port Delays and Rail Backlogs

Consistent 2–3 day delays persist at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Rail connectivity from the Southern California gateway is also under pressure:

  • Loading rail to the U.S. East Coast: 4–5 day delays
  • Loading rail to the Midwest: 6–7 day delays
  • Terminal operators at both ports are actively working to reduce rail container backlogs that have accumulated during two consecutive months of strong import volumes
  • Both BNSF and UP are being urged to increase railcar supply to the ports to help clear the backlog

New vessel deliveries coming onto the market may help schedules begin to stabilize over the near term as capacity supply catches up with demand. In the meantime, shippers routing cargo through Southern California should build buffer time into their inland delivery planning.

Asia to North America Ocean Freight

The trans-Pacific trade lane remains dynamic, with rate softening underway even as carriers attempt to defend their revenue through General Rate Increases.

Floating Market and GRI Activity

The floating market continues to soften on the Asia–North America route. Carriers are implementing General Rate Increases (GRIs), though market observers question whether these GRIs are warranted given the direction of underlying demand. Whether Red Sea surcharges will be upheld in the current environment remains uncertain as market conditions evolve.

Southeast Asian and Indian subcontinent origin markets continue to gain traction as an increasing number of buyers look to diversify their sourcing away from China. This geographic shift in sourcing — driven in part by Section 301 tariffs and broader trade policy considerations — is reshaping freight flows across the Pacific.

Recommendations for Time-Sensitive Cargo

Given current West Coast port delays and rail backlogs, shippers with time-sensitive shipments should consider the following strategies:

  1. East Coast routing via West Coast transload: Ship to the West Coast and use transload services or rail connections to reach East Coast destinations — this can be faster than waiting for East Coast vessel services under current market conditions
  2. Premium carrier services: Utilize premium services offered by carriers to guarantee space and equipment, reducing the risk of rollovers and unexpected delays
  3. Freight consolidation: Review our freight consolidation guide to determine whether consolidating shipments can improve cost efficiency and reduce your exposure to per-unit delays
Tariff Response Unit

Audit your derivative HTS exposure

Our brokers will review your top 50 derivative HTS lines and flag Section 232 valuation risk before CBP does.

Get the Audit

Asia to North America Air Freight

The air freight market is performing strongly, driven by a combination of robust e-commerce volumes out of China and the spillover demand from ocean shippers rerouting around the Red Sea conflict zone.

E-Commerce Demand and Rate Dynamics

Air freight rates are maintaining elevated levels as e-commerce shipments from China remain robust. The sustained demand from cross-border e-commerce — combined with extended ocean transit times due to Red Sea diversions — has created a supportive environment for air cargo yields. Whether this growth is sustainable or partially a product of favorable year-over-year comparisons remains an open question as the market develops.

Cargo backlogs are building at major international airports in India, including Delhi and Mumbai, as export volumes spike. Airlines operating through these hubs are working through considerable backlogs, which may affect transit times for South Asian origin freight.

Red Sea and Geopolitical Freight Considerations

The Red Sea situation continues to influence global ocean freight routing and capacity. CMA CGM has resumed transit of some vessels through the Red Sea on a case-by-case basis, despite continued Houthi activity in the region. This selective resumption reflects the carrier’s attempt to balance operational risk against the significant cost and time premium of routing around the Cape of Good Hope.

Reports of a potential Houthi truce with Chinese and Russian shipping interests have not materialized into meaningful operational reality — a Chinese tanker was attacked by missiles fired from Yemen in the same period these reports circulated. Shippers should treat any narrative of normalized Red Sea transit with appropriate caution and continue to plan for extended ocean transit times on Europe-Asia and Red Sea-dependent trade lanes.

Understanding the air vs. ocean freight trade-off on lanes affected by Red Sea rerouting is particularly important for shippers with time-sensitive cargo. The cost differential between the two modes has narrowed on some lanes as ocean transit times have extended significantly.

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Supply Chain Impact

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is adding a regional supply chain disruption on top of the broader market volatility covered in this update. Rescue efforts have transitioned to recovery operations in the Patapsco River, with significant implications for Port of Baltimore cargo operations. Carriers are rerouting Baltimore-bound containers through New York/New Jersey and Norfolk. Shippers with freight routed through Baltimore should confirm the status of their containers and review any force majeure notices from their ocean carriers.

Port of Los Angeles: February Volume Surge

The Port of Los Angeles processed 781,434 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in February 2024, a 60% increase over the same period in the prior year. This marked the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year growth at the nation’s busiest container port. According to Port of Los Angeles official data, this sustained volume growth reflects the continued strength of U.S. import demand in early 2024 and validates the rail congestion pressures described above.

What This Means for Your Freight Strategy

The current market environment combines softening trans-Pacific rates with persistent West Coast port and rail delays, elevated air freight rates driven by e-commerce demand, Red Sea routing uncertainty, and a new regional disruption at Baltimore. This is precisely the kind of multi-variable environment where supply chain visibility software and proactive logistics partnership deliver measurable value.

Shippers who rely on reactive information — waiting for a delay notification before investigating alternatives — are consistently disadvantaged in volatile markets. The ability to monitor all active freight across all modes and carriers, and to respond to market intelligence before it becomes a supply chain crisis, is the core value proposition of the Control Tower platform.

For personalized guidance on optimizing your freight strategy in the current environment, contact us. Our team is ready to help you navigate complexity and keep your supply chain moving.

/by

Rate Relief Ahead

In this CargoTrans Market Watch, we cover the freight landscape in late January / early February 2024 — a period when rate relief was beginning to emerge on some lanes while others remained constrained by Red Sea diversions, Panama Canal restrictions, and post-Lunar New Year capacity management. Understanding where relief was coming and where pressure remained helped shippers make informed booking decisions ahead of contract season negotiations.

CAPTAIN CONTROL TOWER

Quantify your exposure in 20 minutes

Our trade strategists run your last 90 days of entries through Captain to surface refund eligibility, Section 232 traps and PNTR risk.

EXPLORE CAPTAIN

Canal and Routing Update

The two primary maritime routing corridors — the Panama Canal and Suez Canal — remained under separate but reinforcing constraints in early 2024. Here is how each was performing at this time.

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) increased the number of daily transit slots available for auction to 24 — up from 22 — as drought conditions eased slightly. Before the drought restrictions, the canal handled approximately 34 to 38 daily transits. The improvement meant containerships were finding it easier to reserve slots, particularly as dry bulk and other shipping sectors continued to reduce their Canal routing. The progressive slot recovery was a positive signal for transpacific US Gulf and East Coast services dependent on Canal routing, though full normalization remained months away.

Suez Canal / Red Sea

Houthi attacks in the Red Sea continued without resolution, and vessel diversions around the Cape of Good Hope remained the operating reality for most major container carriers on Asia-Europe trades. The resulting longer service loops — adding 10-14 days to voyage times — were creating structural capacity reduction on these lanes that sustained rate levels even as post-peak demand moderated. The operational cost implications of higher fuel consumption and extended vessel cycles were expected to keep base rates elevated through the contract season.

Ocean and Air Freight Rate Outlook

The rate environment in early February 2024 was characterized by post-Lunar New Year adjustments on transpacific lanes and continued pressure on Europe and transborder trades. Understanding the trajectory for each major lane was essential for shippers entering contract negotiations during this period.

Asia to North America

February rate visibility was challenging as carriers delayed publishing post-Lunar New Year rate levels. The anticipated trajectory: rate levels falling 20-30% in the weeks following the holiday as demand moderated and carrier capacity adjusted to diversion-extended service loops. Key factors sustaining elevated baseline rates despite the expected decline:

  • Higher fuel costs from Cape of Good Hope routing adding to carrier operating costs
  • Elevated insurance premiums for Red Sea trade lane exposure
  • Carrier blank sailing programs designed to manage capacity and sustain rates ahead of contract season
  • Structural service loop elongation requiring more vessels to maintain equivalent weekly frequency

Europe to North America

Carriers continued to blank and cut capacity on the Europe-to-North America trade as tonnage was redirected to support Red Sea diversion adjustments on the more profitable Asia-Europe lanes. Rates were expected to continue rising on this trade as carriers shifted vessels to lanes where the capacity premium was highest.

Air Freight

Air freight rates continued to increase ahead of Lunar New Year as some ocean freight shipments diverted to air to avoid extended ocean transit times. Rate normalization was expected following the Lunar New Year holiday period as demand patterns rebalanced and ocean schedule reliability gradually improved.

Tariff Response Unit

Audit your derivative HTS exposure

Our brokers will review your top 50 derivative HTS lines and flag Section 232 valuation risk before CBP does.

Get the Audit

Post-Lunar New Year Outlook and Shipper Guidance

The weeks following Lunar New Year typically mark the moment when the freight market resets from the holiday-season peak. In 2024, that reset was complicated by the structural changes imposed by Red Sea diversions and Canal restrictions. Here is what the CargoTrans team expected for the post-holiday period:

  1. Stability improvement in 4-6 weeks: Carriers and supply chains were expected to adjust to new service loops and routines, with schedule reliability beginning to improve as new timetables were adopted
  2. Rate reductions on transpacific: February post-Lunar New Year rate declines of 20-30% were anticipated on Asia-West Coast lanes as demand moderated
  3. Continued blank sailings: Carriers would use blank sailing programs to manage the rate decline and maintain elevated rate floors ahead of contract negotiations
  4. Intermodal routing for East Coast cargo: Shippers with East Coast-bound freight were advised to consider routing via West Coast ports with transload or rail connections where cost-effective
  5. Extended booking lead times: Winter weather, schedule volatility, and blank sailings all reinforced the need to book further ahead than normal to secure space and equipment

Market Intelligence for Contract Season Preparation

For shippers entering annual contract negotiations in early 2024, the rate environment created both challenges and opportunities. Carriers were managing capacity aggressively to sustain rates — but the underlying demand signal, particularly on transpacific lanes, was softening. Shippers with strong volume commitments and multi-lane programs were in the strongest negotiating position.

CargoTrans’s supply chain visibility software tracks live carrier schedule reliability and rate trends across all active trade lanes. The Control Tower platform provides the carrier performance data — transit time consistency, on-time delivery rates, exception frequency — that supports data-driven contract negotiations rather than carrier-provided benchmarks. Our supply chain risk management tools help model the routing and rate scenarios your team needs to evaluate before locking in annual commitments.

For tariff modeling across different origin scenarios, use our tariff calculator to incorporate the full landed cost picture into your sourcing decisions alongside freight rate projections. Questions? Contact us to speak with a specialist.

/by

Carrier GRI & Blank Sailing Strategy Mimics Yo-Yo Dieting…

If you've been watching ocean freight rates in late 2023, you've noticed a pattern that resembles yo-yo dieting: carriers announce a General Rate Increase (GRI), shippers resist, rates slide back, and the cycle repeats. Here's why carrier GRI discipline — or the lack of it — is shaping your freight costs right now.

Panama Canal Restrictions Are Reshaping Routing Decisions

Starting November 2023, the Panama Canal Authority reduced daily transits from 36 to 31, potentially introducing 2–3 day delays for container services on eastbound routes. Vessels are near 100% utilization on a tonnage basis due to draft restrictions, but not on a TEU basis — meaning light cargo moves, but heavy shipments face weight-based restrictions.

Despite these delays, the Panama Canal remains a faster route than the Suez Canal for most Asia-origin ports. For shippers with time-sensitive cargo or heavy consignments, consider these alternatives:

  • U.S. or Canadian West Coast with inland rail or truck to final destination
  • All-water East Coast routing via Suez — adds transit days but avoids draft restrictions
  • Air freight for genuinely time-critical cargo

Discuss routing options with your freight forwarder before committing to bookings — the cost difference between routing options can exceed $300/TEU depending on lane and timing.

Why Carrier GRIs Are Mimicking Yo-Yo Dieting

Market rates remain below pre-pandemic levels as carriers push blank sailings to tighten capacity and support rate increases. The strategy mirrors yo-yo dieting: short-term restriction produces temporary results, but without sustained discipline, the market reverts to baseline.

The November GRI effectiveness will hinge entirely on carrier discipline. Key data points:

  • TAC Index: Rates out of China to the U.S. up 6%; rates from Hong Kong to North America up 14% in the past month
  • Freightos FAX: Rates from South Asia to North America jumped 12.5% since start of October; South Asia to Europe rose 21% (in the 100kg–300kg category)
  • Creating artificial demand through capacity withdrawal has not proven to be a reliable long-term strategy for carriers — shippers with flexible timing can wait out GRI cycles

The bottom line: carriers still haven't re-established the market conditions that give them back control of freight rates. Shippers who work with experienced freight forwarders tracking these cycles in real time hold a significant advantage.

CAPTAIN CONTROL TOWER

Track every shipment and rate change in real time

Blank sailing alerts, GRI notifications, port congestion data, and full shipment visibility across all carriers and lanes.

EXPLORE CAPTAIN →

What Is a Blank Sailing and How Does It Affect Your Costs?

A blank sailing occurs when a carrier cancels a scheduled vessel departure, either entirely or for specific ports. Carriers use blank sailings to reduce available space on a trade lane — artificially tightening supply to support rate increases. For shippers, blank sailings cause:

  • Booking displacement: Your cargo gets rolled to the next available sailing, adding 7–14 days to transit
  • Rate exposure: If your contract or quote expires before rebook, you may face higher spot rates
  • Planning disruption: Inventory buffers get consumed faster than planned, especially for just-in-time supply chains

Monitoring blank sailing announcements 4–6 weeks ahead gives importers time to pre-book, adjust safety stock, or evaluate alternative carriers. This is one of the core functions CargoTrans provides through Captain Control Tower.

Rate Trends by Trade Lane (Week of November 2, 2023)

Trade Lane Trend Key Factor
China → North America +6% (month) Blank sailing discipline + Panama restrictions
Hong Kong → North America +14% (month) TAC Index — outperforming China lane
South Asia → North America +12.5% (since Oct 1) Freightos FAX — accelerating uplift
South Asia → Europe +21% (since Oct 1) 100–300kg category; demand recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a General Rate Increase (GRI) in ocean freight?

A General Rate Increase is a carrier-announced, across-the-board rate hike applied to a specific trade lane. Carriers typically announce GRIs 30 days in advance. Whether a GRI “sticks” depends on market supply and demand — in soft markets, shippers reject GRIs by booking spot. In tight markets (peak season, disruptions), GRIs hold and compound quickly. Monitoring GRI calendars 4–6 weeks ahead is essential for freight budgeting.

How long does a GRI typically last?

Effective GRIs can hold for 2–8 weeks before market forces erode them. Carriers attempt to sustain GRIs through coordinated blank sailings and capacity management. However, when multiple carriers compete for the same cargo, the incentive to undercut a GRI is strong. In the Q4 2023 environment, most GRIs were lasting 2–4 weeks before softening.

Should I book now or wait for rates to come down?

This depends on your operational flexibility. If you can absorb a 2–4 week delay in receiving cargo, waiting through a GRI cycle may save $300–$800/TEU. If your inventory position is tight or your lead time is fixed, booking before a GRI announcement is cheaper. Your freight forwarder should help you model this decision based on your specific trade lane and timing. Contact CargoTrans for a rate timing analysis.

How do blank sailings affect delivery timelines?

Each blank sailing on your carrier typically adds 7–14 days to transit if your booking gets rolled. During periods of heavy blank sailing activity — like late 2023 — cumulative rollings can add 3–5 weeks to supply chain lead times. Building a safety stock buffer of 3–4 extra weeks and monitoring sailing schedules through a platform like Captain helps protect against disruption.

/by