Container line reliability shows marked improvementContainer line reliability shows marked improvement

Sea-Intelligence’s Global Liner Report, which covers 34 global trade lanes covering over 60 container lines, showed a 4.1 percentage point improvement in November 2024 month-on-month to hit 54.8% - the highest level for the year.

Schedule reliability in 2024 was impacted by the disruption caused by Houthi attacks on shipping the Red Sea and subsequent diversions. Schedules were hit by the rerouting of vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, the front loading of cargoes by shippers and port congestion at major transhipment hubs.

“Schedule reliability has largely remained within the 50%-55% range in 2024,” Sea-Intelligence CEO Alan Murphy commented.

In November all 13 of the largest container lines recorded an improvement in schedule reliability in terms of month-on-month, although only one – Yang Ming – improved in terms of year-on-year reliability.

Singapore-headquartered Pacific International Lines (PIL) was the most improved in November with an increase of 14.6% percentage points.

The most reliable carrier was Danish line Maersk with a 61.9% reliability rating for November 2024 from Sea-Intelligence, although this is still far below its stated aim of 90% under the Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd which starts next month.

The least reliable of the top 13 lines in November 2024 was Taiwanese carrier Wan Hai Lines with rating of 47.5%.