With the decline of peak season, operators have launched blank plans to support freight rates

In the next 12 weeks, ocean carriers will transport about 8.8% of their capacity from Asia to the European market.

CMA CGM has announced that it will cancel five voyages during China's Golden Week, reducing the trade from Asia to Europe by nearly 100000 TEUs.

The airline's FAL services 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 have been cancelled due to the 7-day national holiday from October 1-7.

It did not give a reason for this, but a source pointed out: "This may echo some customers' concerns about the general decline in the fourth quarter. We are trying to link these points to determine the factors behind the decision. However, we have always been very cautious in making these assessments and will wait for the reaction or action of other stakeholders."

Although the source added that these gaps "do not necessarily indicate bad luck and pessimism", it seems that CMA CGM's decision is not the only shipping company making this decision.

It is reported that between now and the holidays in China, the 2M alliance of Maersk and MSC will reduce the transport capacity by 10% in trade and cancel 7 voyages, while the ONE Alliance will reduce the transport capacity by 18% and cancel 10 voyages.

Commentators said that the failure to realize the peak season before the Golden Week may lead to a reduction in the capacity of the routes, because they are looking for ways to maintain the recently "collapsed" freight rates, especially on the Asia Europe routes.

Mike Wackett commented: "There is no peak season this year, and the demand prospect in the fourth quarter is very bad. I think operators will take the same radical approach as the beginning of the pandemic, take out a lot of protection capabilities, and increase their freight rates as proved at that time."

At the same time, others pointed out that more and more problems and changes in the operating environment would affect the carrier's decision to cancel the voyage.

Goetz Alebrand, the head of American shipping at DHL Global Forwarding, pointed out that strikes, bottlenecks and equipment shortages are major factors, and added: "In view of the global recession, supply chain bottlenecks are also obvious, and there are many unknown factors. In terms of DHL shipping, the situation of equipment (containers) is still tense, especially 40 foot containers."