Weekly sailings often give shippers a false sense of security. On paper, a service that departs every week appears stable and predictable. In practice, weekly frequency can actually amplify delays when anything goes wrong.
What it is:
Weekly sailings mean a carrier offers one scheduled departure per week on a specific service string. This does not mean every container moves weekly, nor does it guarantee flexibility if a shipment misses its planned vessel.
How it works:
Ocean carriers design services around fixed rotations. Each vessel follows a strict port sequence and timetable. When a container is booked on a weekly service, it is tied to one specific sailing. If the container misses that sailing for any reason, documentation cut-off, terminal congestion, late gate-in, rollover, or vessel reallocation, the next opportunity is usually the following week. Unlike daily or multi-weekly services, there is often no backup option within the same carrier or service. The situation becomes more severe when the next sailing is already fully utilized. Carriers prioritize long-term contracts, higher-paying cargo, and operational efficiency. Rolled containers often lose priority, making it possible to miss multiple consecutive sailings. What begins as a short delay quickly compounds into weeks.
Examples:
- A container misses Monday’s sailing due to a late document correction. The next sailing is seven days later.
- The following week’s vessel is already full, and the container is rolled again.
- A public holiday or blank sailing reduces available departures, extending the delay even further.
- A carrier reshuffles vessels due to congestion, skipping a sailing entirely.
Facts:
Missing a single weekly sailing can easily add 7–14 days to transit time. Missing two sailings can add three weeks or more. Many of the longest ocean freight delays start with a single missed weekly departure. Frequency alone does not equal reliability.
Misinterpretations:
- Many shippers assume weekly service means flexibility. In reality, it means fewer recovery options.
- Another common belief is that carriers can simply move cargo to another vessel. On most weekly services, there is no alternative vessel available.
- Some assume rollovers are rare exceptions. On congested lanes, they are routine.
Who solves it:
Skypace system evaluates not just sailing frequency, but also utilization patterns, rollover history, and alternative routing options. By identifying services with better recovery paths and warning shippers when a weekly service carries high rollover risk, Skypace helps prevent small issues from turning into multi-week delays.
