Blank sailing, also called void sailing, refers to a scheduled ocean freight sailing that the carrier cancels. This cancellation may involve skipping one or more ports on the route or suspending the entire vessel string.
A string is a fixed rotation of ports served weekly by a shipping carrier. For instance, a typical string might include Shanghai → Ningbo → Los Angeles → Oakland → Shanghai. This sequence usually follows a consistent weekly schedule.
1. Low demand for vessel space
After major holidays, such as Chinese New Year or Golden Week, production slows as factories temporarily shut down, leading to decreased shipping demand. To balance capacity and optimize vessel utilization, carriers may cancel sailings.
2. Service adjustments and route optimization
Carriers may adjust the number of weekly strings or restructure routes for efficiency. For example, if a carrier reduces from 10 to 5 sailings per week on a Shenzhen–Los Angeles route, blank sailings will occur during the transition. Route changes also commonly occur during carrier alliance realignments.
If your cargo falls under a blank sailing, the freight forwarder typically reschedules it on the next available vessel. Modern logistics providers like Airsupply offer real-time tracking and proactive communication to minimize delays and keep your supply chain running smoothly.
