On 21 September 2026, Maersk published a temporary operational adjustment on its Qilin service covering 10 sailings numbered 641S through 650S. The change is effective with GSL ELIZABETH 641S, which has a Shanghai proforma ETA of 9 October 2026. Maersk says the contingency is intended to mitigate prolonged vessel waiting times and weather-related disruptions affecting operations in the Shanghai area while maintaining coverage of both Melbourne and Sydney.
Under the adjustment, the rotation operates Shanghai–Hong Kong–Melbourne/Sydney. Melbourne and Sydney calls alternate on consecutive sailings, and Hong Kong is added as a connection port. Maersk states cargo will continue to be supported through its integrated network, using connections between the Qilin and Dragon services via Hong Kong where required. The advisory lists proforma ETAs for each of the 10 voyages through DELOS WAVE 650S (Shanghai 11 Dec 2026; Sydney 2 Jan 2027).
For importers and forwarders moving China-origin cargo to Australia on this string, the practical change is schedule geometry rather than a blank sailing: each listed voyage covers one Australian load/discharge port, not both, and Hong Kong becomes the stated connection point. Bookings through late December should be checked against the published vessel/voyage table and reconfirmed with the carrier or NVO before factory cargo leaves the CY.