Trans-Pacific Service Suspensions Announced by ONE, ZIM, and TS Lines

一、Shipping Companies Intensively Adjust Capacity on U.S. Routes

1.ONE cuts trans-Pacific routes consecutively

 After suspending the PN4 service originally set to launch in May, Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced on April 23 that it would delay the PS5 route, another trans-Pacific service planned to resume in May. The PS5 route was supposed to connect Asia with the U.S. West Coast. This move shows ONE’s growing pessimism about the trans-Pacific market.

2.TS Lines ends independently operated service

Hong Kong-listed TS Lines has suspended its AWC2 service, which connected Chinese ports like Nansha, Yantian, Shekou, and Xiamen with Los Angeles, U.S. The route was originally planned to use 6 ships of 1,750 TEU each, with a round-trip time of 42 days. Since the start of 2025, AWC2 has seen frequent blank sailings and port skips. The last departure from Asia was operated by TS Tokyo from Xiamen in mid-March, after which the service stopped. However, TS Lines still co-operates on the AWC Pacific service with Singapore’s SeaLead, with each company deploying 3 ships (6 in total), calling at Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, and Los Angeles.

3. ZIM pauses ZX2 service

 ZIM announced the suspension of its ZX2 route, which used 5 ships of 5,500 TEU to provide a 35-day round-trip service from Shanghai and Ningbo to Long Beach. The last ZX2 voyage was operated by Mississippi on April 9, the same day the Trump administration escalated global trade war measures, triggering the first wave of service suspensions on the Pacific. *Mississippi* will later join ZIM’s ZEX route (currently calling at Cai Mep, Yantian, and Long Beach), increasing the ZEX fleet to 6 ships and adding a call at Haiphong, Vietnam. 

二、Market Pressures and Policy Shocks 

1.Plunging freight rates and shrinking trade volume

Spot freight rates on the trans-Pacific route have dropped 77% since July 2024, hitting a recent low. At the same time, the escalation of the U.S.-China trade war has caused a sharp drop in bookings. The U.S. has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, and China’s countermeasures have taken effect, directly causing an 80-90% drop in U.S.-China shipping volumes in April. 

2.ZIM’s reliance on the spot market causes problems 

ZIM’s Asia-U.S. revenue depends heavily on the spot market. Squeezed by falling rates and volumes, the company was forced to suspend services. Alphaliner analysis says such adjustments are the shipping industry’s way to survive worsening market conditions.

3.Ripple effects of service changes 

Suspensions have worsened(excess capacity). For example, Mississippi joining ZEX strengthens the route’s connection between Vietnam and the U.S., showing how shipping companies are avoiding tariffs and rebuilding supply chains.

三、Industry Impact and Future Outlook 

1.Record-high blank sailings 

Since April, 80 departures from China on trans-Pacific routes have been canceled, more than during the early COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Sea-Intelligence predicts Asia-to-U.S. West Coast volumes could drop another 28% in the coming weeks, and U.S. East Coast volumes might fall by 42%. 

2.Strain on ports and supply chains 

The Port of Long Beach warns of a possible 20% drop in cargo volume in the second half of 2025, while the Port of Los Angeles expects 12 blank sailings in May. In China, empty container retention rates at ports have risen to 38%, putting pressure on all supply chain links. 

3.Regional market shifts and strategic reallocation 

Shipping companies are moving excess capacity to routes like Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia. Shanghai-to-Europe freight rates have recently increased by 5.7%, and Southeast Asia routes have seen a rush of shipments due to tariff exemptions, becoming a short-term “safe haven.” 

四、Conclusion 

The current capacity adjustments on trans-Pacific routes result from both market forces and policy interventions. By suspending services and reallocating capacity, shipping companies are coping with the crisis. The continued escalation of the U.S.-China trade war will further test the resilience of global supply chains. Balancing cost control and market demand will be key for the shipping industry to survive these(turmoil).