ports

Container Shipping On-Time Performance Retreats as Port Delays Persist

Global container shipping reliability slipped in June as port congestion continued to hamper operations, undercutting three consecutive months of gains. On-time performance fell to 37% last month from 39% in May, the highest reading since December 2023, while average delays increased to three days. The second quarter showed overall improvement, with performance rising from 36% in March to the May peak. Among carrier alliances, Gemini Cooperation maintained superior reliability at 69% on-time performance during Q2 with one-day average delays. Ocean Alliance posted the quarter's biggest gains, improving 15 percentage points to 43%. Port inefficiencies remain the primary constraint, limiting carriers' ability to deploy capacity productively despite efforts to maintain schedules.