Hanjin Shipping is preparing for the traditional January slow season on the Asia-Europe trades with a series of service cancellations.

The changes are on its five loops into Northern Europe, operated with fellow CKHY alliance members Coscon, K-Line, Yang Ming and UASC.

And on its NE5 loop, Hanjin's 1 January service from Kwangyang will not sail.

Hanjin currently deploys nine vessels on the NE5 loop, with Coscon, K-Line, Yang Ming and UASC all taking slots.

It also plans cancellations on the remaining four loops, NE1, NE2, NE3 and NE4, after the Chinese new year holiday in February, said the line, as well as capacity reductions in Asia-Mediterranean loops.

"One scenario under discussion is to cancel one voyage in each of the three Asia-Mediterranean loops - MD1, MD2 and MD3 - during December, and another voyage each after Chinese new year," said the carrier.

"As a second option, we are also considering suspending one of the three loops during the slack season."