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Global schedule reliability for cargo vessels worsened in August, dropping 5.9 percentage points to 49.9%, the lowest since September 2022, according to the latest Sea-Intelligence Global Liner Performance report
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The report, covering 34 trade lanes and more than 60 carriers, cited the continuing congestion in ports in Asia for the declining schedule reliability
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Average delay for late vessel arrivals also deteriorated, increasing month-on-month by 0.60 days to 6.81 days
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Among carriers, Maersk was the most reliable in August with a record of 67.3%, followed by Hapag-Lloyd with 61.5
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In July and August, Gemini was the most reliable carrier alliance with schedule reliability of 77.8%
Global schedule reliability for cargo vessels worsened in August, dropping 5.9 percentage points to 49.9%, the lowest since September 2022, according to the latest Sea-Intelligence Global Liner Performance report.
The report, covering 34 trade lanes and more than 60 carriers, cited the continuing congestion in ports in Asia for the declining schedule reliability.
READ: Congestion at Asian ports drives global cargo vessel delays
The average delay for late vessel arrivals also deteriorated, increasing month-on-month (M/M) by 0.60 days to 6.81 days.
“This is the highest level reached since March 2022. On a Y/Y (year-on-year) level, the August 2026 figure was 1.92 days higher,” Sea-Intelligence CEO Alan Murphy said in a news release.
Congestion at ports have been attributed to various factors, including weather disturbances and inland transport constraints.
READ: Congestion persists at two busiest China ports, Manila – DHL report
Carriers
Among carriers, Maersk was the most reliable in August with a record of 67.3%, followed by Hapag-Lloyd with 61.5%, based on the Sea-Intelligence report. The two companies have an operational collaboration under Gemini Cooperation.
MSC and CMA CGM followed with 55.2% and 50.6%, respectively, and were the only two carriers in the 50‑60% range.
Wan Hai was the least reliable carrier with schedule reliability of 23.2%.
None of the shipping lines recorded a M/M improvement in reliability in August.
ONE recorded the smallest M/M decline of -3.5 percentage points while PIL recorded the largest M/M decline of ‑10.1 percentage points.
On a year-on-year level, none of the top 13 carriers recorded an improvement in schedule reliability in August 2026, with Maersk recording the smallest Y/Y decline of -8.9 percentage points, and PIL recording the largest Y/Y decline of -31.1 percentage points. PIL was one of twelve carriers with a double-digit Y/Y decline.
In July and August, Gemini was the most reliable carrier alliance with schedule reliability of 77.8%, followed by MSC with 70.1%, and Ocean Alliance with 48.3%. Premier Alliance was the least reliable with 43.2%.
