A blank sailing, also known as a void sailing, occurs when a carrier cancels a scheduled call into port. This may involve the cancellation of a single port stop or an entire string of port calls on a vessel’s route. For shippers, a blank sailing means that the vessel will not stop at its scheduled port to load or offload cargo. While not extremely common, blank sailings are an unavoidable aspect of the ocean freight industry.
Why Do Blank Sailings Happen?
Carriers may implement blank sailings for several reasons:
- To improve schedule reliability if a vessel is running late in its string of port calls
- When demand for vessel space is low, such as after major holiday periods
- To rebalance vessel and container capacity by shifting resources between trade lanes in response to market conditions
- Due to port congestion, port closures, or unexpected incidents, such as severe weather or vessel damage
What Happens if Your Cargo is Affected?
If your shipment is delayed due to a blank sailing, it will typically be rescheduled to move on the next available vessel. While this can cause logistical disruptions, carriers usually work to minimize delays and keep shippers informed.
Understanding blank sailings and monitoring carrier schedules is important for shippers to maintain supply chain resilience and prepare for potential delays in transit.