Maersk is reducing capacity on its Far East Asia-Europe services ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday, citing expected lower demand and reduced workforce availability during the national holiday period. The carrier announced the network adjustments on August 20.
The changes include a series of blank sailings in September and October 2026, allowing Maersk to align vessel capacity with anticipated cargo volumes during the holiday period. Golden Week runs from October 1 to October 7 and typically results in factory closures and weaker export activity across China.
Maersk said the adjustments are intended to balance its network while minimising disruption to customers. The carrier plans to use structural changes and alternative routings to maintain supply-chain predictability during the affected period.
Blank sailings are a common capacity-management tool used by container lines during periods of softer demand. By temporarily removing scheduled voyages, carriers can reduce excess capacity and better match vessel deployment with cargo volumes.
The latest move comes as carriers continue to manage capacity carefully on the Asia-Europe trade. Industry data indicates that blank sailings have been increasing as shipping lines seek to balance supply and demand ahead of the traditional post-Golden Week slowdown.
For shippers, the cancellations could lead to changes in departure schedules, transit times and available capacity during September and October. Maersk is expected to provide alternative service options for affected cargo as part of its network adjustments.
The Golden Week capacity reduction highlights the seasonal impact of China’s national holiday on global container shipping, with carriers routinely adjusting schedules to account for factory closures, lower cargo production and temporary changes in port operations.