Blank Sailing
Also known as: Cancelled Sailing, Void Sailing, Skipped Sailing
Definition
A blank sailing (also called void sailing or cancelled sailing) occurs when an ocean carrier decides not to operate a scheduled vessel departure on a specific route. This capacity management tool affects shippers who may have cargo booked on that vessel.
Why Carriers Blank Sailings
Demand Management
- Low cargo volumes
- Seasonal slowdowns
- Economic downturns
- Overcapacity situations
Operational Reasons
- Vessel mechanical issues
- Schedule adjustments
- Alliance restructuring
- Port congestion management
Cost Control
- Fuel savings
- Crew costs
- Port fees
- Operating expenses
Impact on Shippers
Immediate Effects
- Booked cargo rolled to next vessel
- Extended transit time
- Potential supply chain disruption
- Warehouse/inventory challenges
Business Impact
- Production delays
- Missed delivery commitments
- Increased storage costs
- Customer dissatisfaction
- Contract penalties
When Blank Sailings Occur
Common Periods
- Chinese New Year (Asia exports)
- Summer slowdown (July-August)
- Economic uncertainty
- After peak season
Scale of Blank Sailings
Normal operations: 1-2% blank sailings
Slowdown: 5-10% blank sailings
Severe downturn: 15-25%+ blank sailings
COVID-19 peak: 30%+ on some routes
How Blank Sailings Are Announced
Notification Methods
- Carrier website updates
- EDI notifications
- Email alerts to customers
- Forwarder communications
- Industry news services
Notice Period
- Ranges from weeks to days
- More notice for planned blanks
- Less notice for operational issues
- Contract customers often prioritized
Managing Blank Sailing Risk
Proactive Strategies
- Book earlier than cut-off
- Use carriers with reliable schedules
- Diversify carrier portfolio
- Monitor industry announcements
- Build buffer time into schedules
When You’re Affected
- Contact carrier/forwarder immediately
- Understand rebooking options
- Assess alternative carriers
- Communicate with customers
- Adjust downstream logistics
Blank Sailing Patterns
By Trade Lane
| Route | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|
| Asia-US | Chinese New Year, slow August |
| Asia-Europe | Similar to Asia-US |
| Transatlantic | More stable |
| Intra-Asia | Varies by carrier |
Seasonal Calendar
Jan-Feb: High (CNY)
Mar-Apr: Moderate
May-Jun: Low
Jul-Aug: Moderate to High
Sep-Oct: Low (peak season)
Nov-Dec: Low to Moderate
Carrier Practices
Alliance Coordination
- VSA (Vessel Sharing Agreement) partners coordinate
- Blank sailings often aligned
- Reduces available alternatives
- Spreads impact across alliances
Communication Quality
- Premium carriers give more notice
- Contract customers informed first
- Spot bookings at higher risk
- Relationship matters
Alternative Options
When Your Sailing Is Blanked
| Option | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Next vessel (same carrier) | Usually automatic rollover |
| Different carrier | Check availability, re-book |
| Different port pair | Use alternate routing |
| Air freight | For urgent cargo |
| Hold and wait | If timing allows |
Cost Implications
- Rollover usually no extra charge
- Switching carriers may cost more
- Air freight significantly higher
- Storage costs while waiting
Industry Monitoring
Information Sources
- Sea-Intelligence
- Drewry
- Alphaliner
- Carrier websites
- Freight forwarders
- Industry publications
What to Track
- Blank sailing announcements
- Capacity utilization
- Schedule reliability
- Market trends
Blank Sailing Rights
Carrier Terms
- Most contracts allow blanking
- Usually without penalty to carrier
- Shipper recourse limited
- Contract terms vary
Shipper Protections
- Priority loading for contract customers
- Rebooking assistance
- Some contracts limit rolling
- Service commitments in premium contracts
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