If you've been keeping an eye on the shipping news over the past year, you've probably grown used to hearing about one thing: blank sailings. These are the voyages that carriers cancel, usually to try and balance supply with demand when things get quiet. For a while, they were happening a lot.
But here's some interesting news for anyone shipping goods in or out of China. According to the latest data, the number of blank sailings on major trade routes has just hit its lowest point in over a year .
What the Numbers Are Really Saying
It might sound like a sign that everything is back to normal, but the reality is a bit more layered. Data from project44 shows that back in April 2025, carriers were blanking over 130 sailings on U.S. routes alone. Fast forward to January 2026, and that number dropped to just 11 .
At first glance, fewer cancellations mean more consistent schedules, which is a good thing. However, this isn't happening because shipping volumes are booming. In fact, U.S. imports from China were down 29% last year . Instead, carriers seem to have finally adjusted their networks to match the "new normal" of trade flows, which increasingly involve sourcing from places like Thailand and Indonesia .
The Real-World Impact on Your Shipments
For a logistics manager, this stabilization is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you're less likely to get that dreaded email at the last minute saying your vessel isn't sailing. Schedule reliability is slowly improving.
On the other hand, the underlying demand is still soft. Freight rates have been under pressure, especially as we just came out of the Lunar New Year period when factories slow down . Carriers tried to prop up rates by pulling capacity in February-with a 122% spike in blank sailings that month-but now that the holiday is over, those canceled voyages are coming back online .
This is where having a sharp logistics partner makes all the difference. It's not just about knowing that a ship is sailing; it's about knowing what the rate environment will look like next week, or how to pivot when a preferred route gets crowded.
Navigating the Shift with a Partner Who Knows the Ground
At Xiamen AE Global, we see these shifts not as disruptions, but as part of the daily rhythm of global trade. Because we're based right here in one of China's key ports, we watch these blank sailing trends and capacity changes in real-time. When carriers announced those aggressive cuts for February, we were already on the phone with our partners to secure space and lock in rates for our clients before the March rebound hit .
Our strength lies in bridging the gap between what the data shows and what actually happens on the ground. Backed by a team with over a decade of experience and a network of more than 100 overseas agents, we offer more than just a booking service. Whether it's sea freight, air cargo, or rail, we provide flexibility.
For example, with traditional USA sea freight routes seeing volatile rate swings, we've been able to advise clients on alternative strategies, like utilizing our consolidated sea freight services or adjusting delivery schedules to avoid peak surcharges. Our goal is simple: to keep your supply chain moving with professionalism and honesty, even when the headlines try to make things confusing.
The Bottom Line
Yes, blank sailings are down, which brings a measure of stability back to ocean schedules. But the global logistics landscape is still shifting under our feet, with changing trade policies and sourcing strategies creating a new map for 2026 .
In this environment, a freight forwarder isn't just someone who moves boxes. They're your navigator. At XIAMEN AE GLOBAL SCM Co.,Ltd, we're licensed by the authorities and approved by organizations like IATA and FMC, meaning we have the credentials to handle the complexities. But more importantly, we have the local insight to turn complex market data into simple, workable shipping solutions for you.
So, if you're looking to move goods from China to the USA, Europe, or anywhere else, let's talk. We'll help you read between the lines of the latest shipping data and find a route that works for your bottom line.
