News / Europe-Asia capacity crunch a sign of shifting trade patterns, says Maersk

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The eastbound capacity crunch hitting shippers to Asia is not temporary, but the beginning of a more permanent shift in trading patterns, Maersk Line told The Loadstar today.

The current capacity crunch on the Europe-Asia backhaul leg was originally attributed to a severe cull of westbound sailings during the Chinese new year holiday, but there has also been a big spike in demand, according to Maersk.

Many shippers in North Europe are being refused space by ocean carriers – and even when bookings are ...