Port congestion steady at major hubs.

Port congestion has become an inevitable issue due to factors like typhoons, hurricanes, geopolitical disruptions in the Red Sea, and labor actions along the U.S. East Coast (USEC). In September 2024, both Ningbo and Shanghai ports experienced operational halts caused by Typhoon Bebinca, though they managed to reduce vessel anchor and container dwell times compared to August. These larger ports, with annual throughput exceeding 10 million TEUs, demonstrated their ability to absorb the impact of such disruptions and maintain smoother operations.

On the other hand, medium-sized ports, with annual throughput ranging between 500,000 and 4 million TEUs, are significantly more vulnerable to supply chain crises. These ports consistently experience higher average vessel anchor times, exacerbated by ongoing disruptions. In September, seven of the ten most congested ports, based on anchor time, were medium-sized. Notably, Charleston, Chittagong, and Durban experienced the highest fluctuations in congestion levels, with anchor times varying drastically over the last six months.

These challenges emphasize the resilience of XL ports but also highlight the ongoing struggles of medium-sized ports that are more susceptible to congestion due to their size and the unpredictability of supply chain disruptions. It will be critical to address these congestion issues to ensure the efficiency and reliability of global trade routes.

Source: Beacon