ports

MSC Blanks Transpacific Sailings as Golden Week Demand Softens

MSC is removing two sailings from its Asia-US west coast service to manage anticipated capacity around China's Golden Week holiday in early October. The Geneva-based carrier is blanking its Week 40 Orient service and Week 41 Pearl service, though it said customers may continue booking with contingency arrangements offered on alternative routes. The Orient service connects Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan and Long Beach, while Pearl operates between Yantian, Xiamen and Long Beach. Industry analysts expect US import demand to hold flat in September before declining through October as the holiday approaches. Some observers warn that tariff-related front-loading could disrupt typical seasonal patterns, with importers potentially having already built inventory ahead of expected trade policy uncertainty. MSC is adjusting capacity during this demand slowdown period.