In April, the operational efficiency of major Chinese ports experienced fluctuations, while the operational efficiency of major ports in Europe, the United States, and along the routes remained stable.
In April, the operational efficiency of major Chinese ports experienced fluctuations. The average time at port and at berth for international container ships at major Chinese ports were 1.61 days and 0.88 days respectively, up 15.0% and 4.8% month-on-month. These figures outperformed the average time at port and at berth for container ships at 11 other major foreign ports (2.60 days and 1.93 days).
The operational efficiency of major ports in Europe and the United States remained stable. Among them, the average time at port for ships at the Port of Hamburg in Europe was 2.90 days, up 8.2% month-on-month; the average time at port for ships at the Port of Rotterdam was 2.57 days, flat month-on-month; the average time at port for ships at the Port of Antwerp was 2.22 days, down 13.6% month-on-month. Among major ports on the US West Coast, the average time at port for ships at the Port of Long Beach was 4.80 days, up 12.9% month-on-month; the average time at port for ships at the Port of New York was 2.01 days, down 14.1% month-on-month.
Average time at port and at berth for ocean-going international container ships at global major ports in April 2026
Notes:
Ship time at port refers to the total duration from the ship’s arrival at the port’s waiting anchorage to its departure from the berth after completing loading and unloading operations. This indicator comprehensively reflects the overall efficiency of port facilities and equipment, pilotage, scheduling, loading and unloading, collection and distribution, and customs clearance.
Ship time at berth refers to the total duration from the ship’s berthing for loading and unloading operations to its departure from the berth after completing operations. This indicator mainly reflects the efficiency of loading and unloading operations during the ship’s time at berth.
