Global port congestion hits record 4.3 million TEUs

port congestion container shipping freight rates East Asia storms Panama Canal

Global container port congestion has reached a new peak, with 4.3 million TEUs currently waiting to berth. This volume exceeds the previous high of 4 million TEUs recorded during the 2022 COVID-19 pandemic. The surge is primarily driven by severe weather and storms in East Asia, which have disrupted vessel schedules and caused significant delays at major hubs like the Port of Shanghai and Ningbo.

While the absolute number of stranded containers is at a record high, the congestion represents 12.6 percent of the total global fleet capacity (34.4 million TEUs), which is lower than the 15.7 percent peak seen in 2022. However, the disruptions, combined with expected transit slot reductions at the Panama Canal in September, have created a vessel shortage that is driving up freight rates. The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) has risen 156 percent since the start of the conflict in Iran.

In response to the capacity crunch, Maersk is actively seeking additional tonnage and has considered an earlier return to Red Sea routes. In contrast, other major carriers, including Gemini Cooperation partner Hapag-Lloyd, remain cautious about resuming those transits.

Entities

CMA CGM · Hapag-Lloyd · Linerlytica · Maersk · Panama Canal · Shanghai

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Hapag-Lloyd remains reluctant to resume transits through the Red Sea. www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 3 SOURCES] The Panama Canal is expected to reduce transit slots in September. www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 4 SOURCES] Global container port congestion has reached 4.3 million TEUs waiting to berth. wwd.com · www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 4 SOURCES] The current congestion percentage is lower than the 15.7 percent peak seen in 2022. wwd.com · www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 4 SOURCES] Stranded capacity accounts for 12.6 percent of the 34.4 million TEU global fleet. wwd.com · www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 3 SOURCES] Maersk is seeking additional vessel capacity and has considered returning to Red Sea routes earlier than planned. www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 4 SOURCES] The current stranded capacity exceeds the 4 million TEU peak recorded during the 2022 pandemic. wwd.com · www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org
[● 3 SOURCES] The Shanghai Containerised Freight Index (SCFI) is 156 percent higher than at the start of the Iran war. www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com · www.portnews.it · www.porttechnology.org

Sources

China Port Delays Push Stranded Container Capacity Above Covid Peak [wwd.com]

1 day ago

Mal tiempo dispara la congestión portuaria mundial y eleva la presión sobre los fletes - Panorama Marítimo y Logístico [www.panoramamaritimoylogistico.com]

1 day ago

Container, Msc resta leader mondiale e Apm Terminals sale al terzo posto [www.shipmag.it]

1 day ago

La congestione supera i livelli record del Covid [www.portnews.it]

1 day ago

Global port congestion hits record 4. 3 million TEUs [www.porttechnology.org]

about 4 hours ago