Early lunar new year means shippers need to plan ahead, says Seko

Seko logistics is urging shippers sourcing from China to bring forward purchase orders and confirm ocean bookings at least four weeks ahead of shipment, as an earlier lunar new year in 2027 threatens to compress the window for moving cargo before factory closures.

Falling 11 days earlier than in 2026, next year’s holiday starts on 6 February, and Seko MD for the UK and Ireland Paul Lockwood told The Loadstar: “We are already seeing customers adjust critical path planning to bring their ex-factory dates forward to allow for the earlier lunar new year.

“One customer has advised they raised their purchase order with their suppliers three weeks before the typical purchase order date to account for this, and to ensure they are not ‘back of the queue’ in the production cycle.”

The move reflects growing concern that orders placed too late could miss pre-holiday shipping windows and face delays as exporters compete for capacity, shippers already battling disruption across Asian container networks.

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