Hot Off the Docks | Global Port Pulse.

The jigsaw of global container flows has entered a new phase. Ports are no longer just a link in the chain - they’ve become the bottlenecks, the pressure points, and the pulse check for global trade sentiment. According to Linerlytica’s latest data, congestion is creeping back across major gateways, and the tone of the market is shifting from confidence to cautious concern.

Image: Linerlytica

1. Port Congestion Is Back in Full Force

Global congestion remains stubbornly high, with around eight to nine percent of the world’s container fleet stuck at anchor or waiting for berth slots.

In Europe, more than 900,000 TEU were recently held up across North Europe and Mediterranean terminals, accounting for roughly one-third of the global waiting queue.

Singapore - the world’s busiest transshipment hub - has seen berthing delays stretching up to a week, creating ripple effects across Asia and beyond.

Vessels are skipping ports, transshipment hubs are gridlocked, and even secondary feeder ports are feeling the squeeze as container flows get rerouted. It’s a clear sign that the post-COVID “normal” in shipping never truly stabilised; it just evolved.

2. What’s Driving the Bottlenecks

A perfect storm of factors is keeping global supply chains under pressure:

• Weather: Fog, typhoons, and rough seas across China and Southeast Asia have caused intermittent shutdowns and port closures.

• Labour and terminal constraints: Strikes and staff shortages in key European ports have slowed yard operations and increased yard utilisation to near full capacity.

• Transshipment overflow: The diversion of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope has overloaded hubs such as Singapore and Port Klang, leading to vessel bunching and long queues.

• Equipment imbalance: Containers are taking longer to cycle back into the system, leading to shortages of empties and reefers in export-heavy regions.

Each of these factors alone is manageable. Combined, they’re stretching global networks to the limit.

3. Market Sentiment and Rate Outlook

The sentiment across the industry is mixed.

On one side, demand is holding steady, with restocking and seasonal build-ups keeping trade volumes afloat. On the other hand, persistent congestion and route instability are undermining schedule reliability, driving carriers to implement new surcharges and rate hikes.

Freight rates are rising, and carriers are tightening capacity management to preserve margins. Despite new vessel deliveries in the global fleet, productivity at key ports remains the Achilles’ heel of the system.

The consensus: congestion is not a temporary blip - it’s a structural challenge likely to persist well into the next quarter.

4. Implications for Asia–Oceania

For Australian and New Zealand importers and exporters, the effects will be felt directly.

• Lead Times: Expect extended transit times and unpredictable arrivals. Build a 7–10 day buffer into your supply chain planning, especially for inbound shipments via major hubs like Singapore or Port Klang.

• Cost Pressures: Reefer surcharges, congestion fees, and equipment premiums are already filtering through freight invoices. If you’re running landed-cost calculations, factor in both additional cost lines and extended working capital exposure.

• Route Planning: Diversification is key. Explore alternate ports of loading or smaller transshipment points where capacity is available, even if it means a slightly higher rate.

• Visibility: Now is the time to lean on your freight-tech platforms. Predictive ETAs, real-time vessel tracking, and carrier performance metrics aren’t luxuries - they’re operational necessities.

The Bottom Line

The message from Linerlytica’s data is clear: global congestion is no longer isolated - it’s systemic.

Weather, labour, rerouting, and equipment cycles are creating the perfect feedback loop of inefficiency.

For logistics professionals, this is the moment to double down on preparation and agility. The winners in this environment won’t be the ones who forecast perfectly; they’ll be the ones who adapt quickly.

Because behind every “delayed vessel” notice is a ripple effect that touches manufacturing lines, retail shelves, and entire economies.

Stay sharp, stay visible, and stay ready.

Sources: Linerlytica