Importers and exporters have been warned to expect disruption sending goods to and from Australia as shipping lines start skipping ports following the intensified trade war between the US and China.

International shipping lines are preparing more so-called “blank sailings” – cancelling scheduled port calls or entire voyages – with some also preparing to idle vessels with crew aboard as cargo volumes drop, according to the Freight & Trade Alliance, which represents local logistics groups and freight forwarders.