With more than a month to go before China’s 2026 National Day Golden Week, MSC has already begun adjusting capacity on services from Asia to Europe and the U.S. West Coast. In customer advisories issued on August 24 and August 26, MSC said it would adjust selected Asia–Europe and Asia–U.S. West Coast sailings due to an expected slowdown in market demand during and after the Golden Week holiday. Six sailings have now been confirmed as cancelled, including four from Asia to Europe and two from Asia to the U.S. West Coast. However, MSC continues to accept bookings on the affected trade lanes and will move the affected cargo through alternative services.

Key Highlights

• Six cancellations: MSC has cancelled six sailings around China’s National Day Golden Week, affecting Asia–Europe and Asia–U.S. West Coast services. 

• Affected trade lanes: Four Asia–Europe sailings and two Asia–U.S. West Coast sailings have been cancelled. 

• Demand outlook: MSC cited an expected slowdown in market demand during and after the Golden Week holiday. 

• Bookings remain open: MSC continues to accept bookings, but customers should monitor sailing schedules and alternative service arrangements.

Which MSC Sailings Have Been Cancelled? Asia–Europe and Asia–U.S. West Coast Services Both Affected

On August 26, MSC released its Golden Week sailing program for services from Asia to the U.S. West Coast, announcing the cancellation of voyage GO640N on the ORIENT service in Week 40 and voyage GO641N on the PEARL service in Week 41. The ORIENT service connects Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, and Long Beach, while the PEARL service connects Yantian, Xiamen, and Long Beach. Both serve major cargo flows between Asia and the U.S. West Coast.

Adjustments to Asia–Europe services were announced on August 24, with four sailings cancelled. These include one sailing on the Asia–Mediterranean JADE service in Week 39, as well as one sailing each on the Asia–North Europe SWAN service in Week 40, the BRITANNIA service in Week 40, and the LION service in Week 41. The two advisories cover six cancelled sailings in total. MSC said customers could continue to make bookings and that the affected cargo would be moved through alternative services.

Why Is MSC Reducing Capacity Ahead of China’s Golden Week?

MSC cited an expected slowdown in market demand during and after China’s National Day Golden Week as the main reason for the adjustments. The holiday is an important annual turning point for Asian export demand. A pre-holiday shipping rush typically occurs, and carriers adjust capacity in advance based on expected cargo volumes.

However, this year’s market pattern differs from previous years. Changes in tariffs prompted some importers to bring forward inventory replenishment, resulting in some cargo volumes being shipped earlier than usual. As this demand is gradually absorbed, carriers are reassessing expected cargo volumes around the Golden Week period and cancelling selected sailings to align capacity with market demand.

MSC’s latest move is therefore better viewed as a short-term capacity adjustment in response to expected demand changes around China’s Golden Week. At this stage, it should not be interpreted as a large-scale suspension of Asia–Europe or Asia–U.S. West Coast services.

Freight Forwarders Should Confirm Sailing Schedules and Booking Arrangements

For freight forwarders arranging shipments in the near term, the key issue is whether specific bookings and sailing schedules are affected. For cargo already booked, forwarders should confirm whether the original sailing will operate and which alternative service MSC will provide. For upcoming shipments, changes in space availability and sailing schedules should be monitored to avoid disruption to delivery timelines.

MSC continues to accept bookings on the affected trade lanes, so the advisories should not currently be interpreted as a suspension of cargo acceptance. However, as China’s National Day Golden Week approaches, any additional sailing reductions by other carriers could further reduce effective capacity on Asia–Europe and Asia–U.S. West Coast services. This could affect space availability, sailing schedules, and ocean freight rates. For shipments with firm delivery deadlines, specific sailing arrangements should be confirmed in advance, with additional time allowed for possible schedule changes.

Sources and Disclaimer 

This article is based on MSC’s official advisories and other publicly available industry information. It is provided solely for reference by the international logistics and freight forwarding industry.