The Year of the Horse, but Good Luck Finding One with Wheels

Why It Matters

Understanding the extended CNY logistics blackout is crucial for anyone reliant on Chinese supply chains, as it can cause capacity shortages, rate spikes, and delivery delays across multiple transport modes. The timing aligns with the start of the Asia‑Europe peak season, making proactive planning essential to mitigate cost impacts and maintain service levels.

Summary

The episode examines how the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday, officially Feb 17‑23 2026, creates a six‑to‑eight‑week disruption to China’s inland trucking network, with capacity draining from mid‑January and only slowly returning by early March. It highlights the ripple effects on ocean and air freight, including early peaks in container spot rates, front‑loaded air cargo demand, and the broader Asia‑Europe peak season. The discussion also touches on related challenges such as Red Sea war risk, Brenner corridor congestion, and industry responses from carriers and logistics firms. The host, Adam Clermont, draws on his expertise in global freight markets to explain why shippers must plan well beyond the official holiday week.