The New World Alliance (TNWA) will temporarily reduce capacity on selected Trans-Pacific Trade services to coincide with Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in Asia.
The three container shipping lines in the alliance (APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mitsui OSK Lines) said that the winter deployment program is expected to last six weeks - more if necessary.
However, APL president Eng Aik Meng said that demand and capacity will be reviewed well in advance of the peak shipping season, and capacity will be re-introduced as conditions warrant.
Winter deployment programs are routine for TNWA carriers and the Trans-Pacific Trade in general, where Asian factory closures reduce export volumes significantly during the Lunar New Year holiday break.
Alliance carriers said they will reduce capacity during the period by selectively omitting sailings on the SAX, PSW, PCX and PCE services. Other services may be adjusted to ensure complete port coverage, and customers will be notified ahead of deployment changes.
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