Around three million TEU of global container shipping capacity is reportedly being tied up by congestion and vessel delays as China prepares for Golden Week.
The latest industry estimates put this at approximately 8.5% of the world’s container fleet capacity, highlighting the continuing strain on shipping schedules.
Typhoons and congestion across Asian ports have left vessels waiting for berths and struggling to recover lost time. A recent report puts the average delay for late-arriving vessels at 6.8 days last month, a figure surpassed only during the pandemic’s worst disruption.
The approaching holiday adds another complication. China’s National Day on 1st October marks the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and begins the Golden Week break, lasting until 7th October. Factory closures and reduced business activity will affect cargo availability, with some production disruption already beginning around the Mid-Autumn Festival on 25–27 September.
There may, however, be an opportunity for recovery. Asia–Europe peak demand has eased, and the quieter period after Golden Week could help ports clear backlogs before volumes build towards Chinese New Year.
A gradual return to Suez also offers encouragement. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have announced four additional services returning to the route. The Suez Canal Authority reported 67 Maersk transits and 60 CMA CGM transits during September. Further returns could shorten journeys and release capacity, provided security conditions allow.
Global Freight Services will monitor congestion and routing changes, keeping customers informed as conditions develop.
We wish everyone celebrating a happy Golden Week!