THE festive season and fast-approaching Chinese New Year holiday from January 28 have prompted the 2M Alliance of Maersk Line and MSC to cancel sailings on the Asia-North America and Asia-North Europe/Mediterranean trades; and Hapag-Lloyd to void certain sailings on two loops between Asia and South America.

Maersk announced that some Asia and North America sailings will be eliminated, including the TP3, TP8, TP9, TP10 and TP12. On the Asia-North Europe/Mediterranean trade impacted services include the AE1, AE2, AE5, AE6, AE11 and AE20. By January 13, the carrier will provide more information about alternative services.

"We aim to minimise the impact to our customers by securing alternative routings wherever possible," Maersk told customers.

As for Hapag-Lloyd, it is skipping one voyage each on its ASE1 and ASE2 loops between Asia and South America. The ASE1 is jointly operated with Evergreen Line, Cosco, Zim and Yang Ming, while the German shipping line jointly operates the ASE2 with Hamburg Sud, CMA CGM, Cosco and UASC.