(Commonwealth_ Sea-Intelligence’s Global Liner Report for November 2024 revealed a notable improvement in schedule reliability across 34 global trade lanes and over 60 container lines. The report highlighted a 4.1 percentage point increase compared to the previous month, bringing the overall reliability to 54.8%—the highest level recorded for the year. This improvement provides some optimism for the industry despite a year marked by significant disruptions.
Schedule reliability throughout 2024 faced considerable challenges, primarily due to geopolitical and operational disruptions. The Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea earlier in the year significantly impacted vessel schedules, as ships were rerouted away from the conflict zone. Many vessels opted for the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, adding to transit times and affecting schedule adherence. In addition, shippers engaged in frontloading cargoes to mitigate risks, exacerbating congestion at major transshipment hubs and further straining supply chain operations.
Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence, commented on the year’s performance, stating, “Schedule reliability has largely remained within the 50%-55% range in 2024.” This stability, albeit low, reflects the industry’s ongoing struggle to balance disruptions with operational efficiency.
Despite the challenging environment, November 2024 marked a positive trend, with all 13 of the largest container lines showing month-on-month improvements in reliability. Among these, Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL) emerged as the most improved carrier, recording a remarkable 14.6 percentage point increase. However, when assessing year-on-year reliability, only one carrier, Yang Ming, managed to achieve an improvement, underscoring the persistent difficulties faced by the industry over the past year.
Danish carrier Maersk maintained its position as the most reliable carrier in November, achieving a reliability rating of 61.9%. While this performance places it at the top of the rankings, it still falls significantly short of Maersk’s ambitious goal of reaching a 90% reliability rate under the forthcoming Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, scheduled to commence next month. This partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and service reliability across their networks, presenting an opportunity for significant improvements in the coming year.
In contrast, Taiwanese carrier Wan Hai Lines recorded the lowest reliability among the top 13 carriers in November, with a rating of 47.5%. This performance highlights the variability in schedule adherence across different carriers and underscores the challenges smaller or regionally focused lines face in maintaining consistent service levels amidst global disruptions.
While the slight upward trend in November is encouraging, the report underscores that the industry still faces significant challenges in achieving robust and consistent reliability. Port congestion, weather-related disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and operational inefficiencies remain critical hurdles that carriers must address to meet shipper expectations and maintain competitive advantages.
Looking ahead, the introduction of collaborative frameworks such as the Gemini Cooperation and advancements in digitalization and predictive analytics could play a pivotal role in enhancing reliability. These measures, combined with greater transparency and proactive planning, are expected to mitigate some of the systemic issues that have plagued the sector in recent years.
The performance data for November also reflects the broader challenges in aligning operational goals with real-world disruptions. Maersk’s position at the top, despite falling short of its stated goals, and PIL’s significant month-on-month improvement demonstrate that carriers are adapting to the evolving landscape. However, the disparity in performance between leading carriers like Maersk and lower-ranking ones such as Wan Hai Lines indicates that achieving uniformity across the industry will require more than incremental adjustments.
The Global Liner Report for November 2024 presents a complex picture of the container shipping industry. While the highest reliability rating of the year offers hope for continued improvement, the results also underscore the enduring challenges carriers face in maintaining schedules amidst a volatile operating environment. The upcoming year, particularly with the implementation of partnerships like the Gemini Cooperation, will be pivotal in determining whether the industry can move closer to its reliability targets and achieve greater operational stability.
