CKYH alliance cancels transpacific sailings after Chinese New Year
The CKYH alliance of COSCO Container Lines, “K” Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping will cancel three Asia-to-U.S. East Coast sailings at the end of this month and in early February to coincide with the weak cargo volumes from Asia that traditionally follow Chinese New Year.
A Hanjin executive told AS+ that one sailing a week of three Asia/U.S. East Coast services — the all-water East Coast 1, 2 and 3 loops — would be omitted on a rotating basis during an overall three-week period.
Chinese New Year, this year on Jan. 22, is celebrated in most of Asia and means the closure of numerous factories for a week or more.
In a separate development, COSCO, “K” Line and Yang Ming will omit two individual sailings of one of their Asia/U.S. West Coast services, called “KY PSW,” in early February. Hanjin said it is not involved in the operation of this Pacific Southwest service.
The New World Alliance and the Grand Alliance have already suspended transpacific services during the off-peak season.