September 16, 2019 – Container spot rates on the key Asia-to-Europe and transpacific tradelanes are in freefall, prompting carriers to consider cancelling voyages without notice. One Asia-North Europe carrier source said that there were “plans afoot” for immediate capacity reductions. “Some shippers have been complaining that they are only getting four weeks’ notice of blankings, but it is possible that we will have to consider pulling a voyage without any notice if things don’t improve very quickly,” he said. We ask for patience from our partners and customers as carriers try to define the new “normal” for the remainder of 2019.