Shippers could face more difficulties in the coming weeks ahead of expectations of more sailing cancellations during China's Golden Week holiday in early October.

The port of Ningbo has maintained a fairly stable operation after the Meidong port of this port had to be closed due to a case of Delta variant detected on August 11.

As with the previously closed Yantian port, vessels calling at Ningbo have begun queuing to enter, either diverting to nearby operating ports, or canceling sailings to Ningbo Meishan.

From week 32 to week 35, 18 sailings on the main lines will be canceled out of a total of 496 scheduled sailings, equivalent to a cancellation rate of 4%.

Update on the international logistics and container shipping market on Asia, Europe and North America routes in the week of 32/2021. International shipping market

Hapag-Lloyd achieved outstanding financial results in the first half of 2021, benefiting from strong demand for container shipping and record freight rates.

The Ningbo Meidong Container Terminal was halted on Wednesday due to a Covid case that raised greater concerns for the supply chain as the Delta variant outbreak in China continued to spread wide.

Long-term contract container freight rates jumped 28.1 percent in July, the biggest monthly increase ever, according to Xeneta.

Maersk's freight rates in the second quarter increased by 63% compared to pre-COVID, while global shipping demand increased by only 3%.