The Chinese Golden Week impacts Ocean Freight Shippers for two main reasons:

• All Chinese factories are closed during the Golden Week, undoubtedly impacting just-in-time supply chains and logistics operations.
• Ocean carriers generally omit sailings during this period.

The Ripple Effects of Golden Week on Global Shipping:

The impact of Golden Week on shipping is multifaceted and far-reaching. Here are some of the key effects:

1. Pre-Holiday Rush
In the weeks leading up to Golden Week, there’s typically a surge in production and shipping as businesses rush to complete orders before the holiday closure. This leads to increased demand for shipping services, potentially causing capacity constraints and higher freight rates.

2. Capacity Crunch
The pre-holiday rush often results in a severe capacity crunch across all shipping modes – ocean, air, and land. Carriers may become overbooked, leading to cargo rollovers and delays.

3. Price Volatility
With increased demand and limited capacity, shipping rates often spike during this period. Businesses may face higher costs for both ocean freight and airfreight.

4. Post-Holiday Slowdown
After Golden Week, there’s usually a lull in shipping activity as factories gradually resume operations. This can lead to blank sailings (canceled ship departures) as carriers adjust to reduced cargo volumes.

5. Potential Delays
The combination of pre-holiday rush and post-holiday slowdown can result in significant delays. Shipments that don’t make it out before Golden Week may face extended wait times.

Reference:

Chinese Golden Week’s Impact on Ocean Freight – DHL Global Forwarding – India

The Impact of China Golden Week on Global Shipping: Navigating the Holiday Rush | FreightAmigo

READ MORE
Exim rebrands as ExSyn: We celebrate our 30-year heritage with a new brand and website that bring alive our values and purpose
News · 27/03/2021

Today we announce that Exim is rebranding as ExSyn. We are presenting a new brand identity and website as a reflection of our relentless transformation over the course of 30 years serving the pharma and chemical industries. The new brand builds upon our core strengths as a sourcing company and captures our most essential duty: helping improve people’s health and lives.

In focus: Methyl-2- Methoxy-5-Sulfamoyl Benzoate
Products in focus · 10/02/2026

Methyl-2-Methoxy-5-Sulfamoyl Benzoate (MSMB) is a sulfur containing organic building block acting as a chemical intermediate. MSMB contains ester and sulfamoyl functional groups, which make it useful as a pharmaceutical and fine-chemical intermediate.

India-EU FTA to boost pharma, chemicals trade
News · 03/02/2026

The European Union (EU) has agreed to offer Indian pharmaceutical and medical devices companies preferential access to EU market, along with cutting tariffs on 97.5 percent of chemical products to zero.

In focus: Imidazolidinyl Urea
Products in focus · 03/02/2026

Imidazolidinyl urea is a widely used antimicrobial preservative in the cosmetic and personal care industry. It is a formaldehyde-releasing compound that effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, thereby extending the shelf life of formulations. Due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and cost-effectiveness, it is commonly used in rinse-off and leave-on products within regulated concentration limits.