ports

Port Congestion Hits Four-Year Peak as Rate Increases Loom

Container port congestion has surged to its highest level in four years, with approximately 3.7 million teu representing 11% of the global fleet waiting for berths. North Asia dominates congestion levels at 38% of the total, trailed by North Europe at 13% and Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, and Africa each at 9%. Benelux and German ports face severe pressure, with delays reaching one week. Ship waiting times stretch to three days in Shanghai and two days in Singapore. Container dwell times range from two to seven days depending on location and direction. Global teu-mile demand growth of 7.4% is supporting freight rate increases. The Shanghai-North Europe route climbed 6% to $3,342 per teu, with 40-foot container rates jumping 12% to $5,766. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index eclipsed 3,200 points.