# Global container shipping capacity and reliability

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-container-shipping-capacity-and-reliability
> Updated: 2026-09-15T11:51:31.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Global container shipping reliability experienced a decline in June, dropping 1.9 percentage points to 62.6 percent. This represents a 4.7 percentage point decrease compared to the previous year.

Vessel capacity remains constrained, with commercially idle ships accounting for only 0.6 percent of the 34.1 million TEU global cellular fleet. Ongoing situations in the Middle East have rendered approximately 141,740 TEU unavailable. Data indicates that roughly 5.0 percent of global deep-sea capacity is currently tied up in delays, a notable increase from the 2.2 percent industry norm observed between 2011 and 2019.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-15: World Shipping Council reports 10.36 per cent cargo deficiency rate

The World Shipping Council reported a 10.36 per cent safety deficiency rate in cargo units inspected in 2025, citing risks such as ship fires and lost containers due to improper packing and documentation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-shipping-council-reports-1036-per-cent-cargo-deficiency-rate

### 2026-08-21: Container shipping reliability declines as vessel capacity remains tight

Global container shipping reliability has dropped to 62.6 percent as vessel delays absorb roughly 1.7 million TEUs of capacity, leaving carriers with minimal spare capacity to manage disruptions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/container-shipping-reliability-declines-as-vessel-capacity-remains-tight

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Cite as: Global container shipping capacity and reliability. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-container-shipping-capacity-and-reliability