Ivory Coast
Abidjan: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 4 days. Significant yard congestion is impacting operational efficiency and causing delays in vessel berthing. Some carriers report waiting times of up to 3 days.
South Africa
Cape Town: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 5.5 days.
Durban: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.25 days. On the landside, the Bayhead Road rehabilitation continues in Durban, which can result in some congestion at the port gate. A train derailment has caused a backlog, which is being cleared.
Tanzania
Dar Es Salaam: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 3.19 days. Berthing sequence adjustments are contributing to extended waiting times.
China
Berth and port congestion continues at northern Chinese ports, Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao. In southern China, a tropical storm caused widespread transport disruptions in Hong Kong on Monday, 8 September. Read more
Due to stricter Customs controls in Shenzhen, containers are being transferred to the General Administration of Customs for inspection, causing delays of up to two weeks despite efforts to expedite compliance and release.
Ningbo: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.25 days due to berth and port congestion from previous typhoons. Maintenance dredging is currently underway at YZCT and CMICT, disrupting ongoing operations.
Qingdao: The 7-day average waiting time is around 1.36 days due to port congestion. Some carriers report waiting times of up to 3 days.
Shanghai: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.1 days due to berth and port congestion.
Yantian: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.14 days due to port congestion.
Indonesia
Widespread unrest in Indonesia, driven by public anger over parliamentary allowances and economic strain, has led to violent protests in major cities. While port operations remain stable, road transport is limited due to unsafe conditions and driver shortages. Forwarders are working remotely to reduce risk. Freight documentation continues but with delays.
Japan
Yokohama: Due to CMA’s terminal transfer from D4 to D5, including QC relocation, operations will be significantly constrained over the next three weeks. Average waiting times are expected to range between 1.5 and 2 days.
Malaysia
Port Kelang: The average vessel waiting time dropped slightly this week to approximately 1.21 days; however, the port is still impacted by berth congestion and vessel bunching. The high yard density is at around 88% and impacts productivity.
New Zealand
Tauranga: Windy conditions impacted port operations last week, and some weather delays are possible this week. Vessels may depart off window due to /discharge volumes, yard density, weather, and equipment and labour allocation.
Vietnam
Haiphong: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1 day. The port and berth are both congested.
The container yard utilisation is up to around 85%.
Ho Chi Minh City: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.95 days. Due to ongoing port congestion, yard utilisation at Cat Lai remains consistently high at 96%, placing continued pressure on terminal operations.
Belgium
Antwerp:
France
France faced significant disruptions due to announced strike actions on 10 September and 18 September. Read more
Le Havre: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 3 days, however, some vessels can wait up to 4 days. CNMP LH: Yard at 40%. Crane 700 repaired. Labour expected to normalise post-holidays.
Germany
German ports are currently operating at high capacity, with Hamburg facing significant delays in truck handling due to a shortage of available timeslots. Rail transport is also impacted, as trains lack slot binding and must await entry approval. Hinterland productivity is further strained by infrastructure and construction projects.
Compounding these challenges is the temporary closure of the customs office at HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder, which has halted shipping procedure processing; procedures must now be handled via the Hamburg customs office. The customs office is expected to remain closed until the end of September.
Bremerhaven: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1 day. The yard level is unchanged and idling between 80 and 85%. Labour capacities remain short during the vacation period.
Hamburg: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 2.3 days.
Italy
Genoa: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is at around 1.2 days. Due to the congestion, carriers started to omit the port. Yard density remains elevated at 77%. Labour shortage continues to exert pressure on vessel operations alongside.
Netherlands
Rotterdam: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.38 days. MVII plans 12h IT outage next week, halting operations. Maintenance will take place at the APM Terminal Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam. As a result, the terminal will be closed for all operational activities from Wednesday, 10 September at 19:00 until Thursday, 11 September at 07:00.
United Kingdom
London Gateway: There are currently severe rail congestions. Berth 4 currently accommodates a maximum draft of 15.1 metres, requiring close monitoring of vessel drafts during berth line-up planning.
Southampton: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.8 days. Yard utilisation stands at 91% for dry and 57% for reefer. Congestion is rising due to late arrivals and increased moves from other lines, compounded by Wednesday’s pilot station closure. Adverse weather caused disruptions in week 36. Reduced gang availability and high stack density across three bays are impacting productivity.
Bangladesh
Chittagong (Chattogram): The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.75 days. Berthing congestion at Chittagong Port is at around 89%. Chittagong Port enforces strict 48-hour limits for gearless vessels, regardless of remaining cargo.
Extended stays aren’t permitted if containers aren’t ready at the hook on time.
India
Mundra: Transporters operating around Kandla and Mundra Ports will commence an indefinite strike from 12 September 2025, citing poor road conditions and inaction by the NHAI. All Kutch district transport unions will also suspend services, severely impacting cargo movement and operations at both ports. Read more.
Nhava Sheva: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1 day. Weather-related stoppages are possible this week.
Sri Lanka
Colombo: Terminal operations have been adversely affected due to high yard congestion, increased transhipment volumes, and unfavourable weather conditions. The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.41 days
Canada
Average import rail dwell time for Canadian cargo (Vessel arrival to departure rail ramp):
United States
Average import rail dwell and transit time for US cargo (Vessel arrival to departure rail ramp):
Long Beach: On 9 September, the Portugal-flagged Mississippi, operated by ZIM, suffered a major container collapse at the Port of Long Beach. Seventy-five containers fell into the water during unloading, prompting swift action from emergency crews and the U.S. Coast Guard. Terminal G operations were suspended, and a 500-yard safety zone was enforced. The vessel remains unstable. Read more.
Norfolk: The 7-day average vessel waiting time is around 1.22 days. North NIT at the Port of Virginia is anticipated to commence operations by late September.
Argentina
Buenos Aires: Terminal operations are impacted by high empty container volumes of 800 TEUs. Paraguay transshipments account for 35% of throughput. Vessel delays persist due to cargo surges; occupancy is at 80%. Infrastructure upgrades are underway. TRP operates smoothly at 66% occupancy. Terminal 4 faced disruption from labour action, with yard occupancy at 95%.
Mainline container vessels may spend a certain number of days waiting at designated anchorage areas before their scheduled port call.
To calculate the 7-day average waiting time, we consider the waiting days of these vessels, excluding:
This rolling average is based on the data from the last seven days and is updated daily in seaexplorer.
To find the latest waiting time for a port, enter the port name or code in the search bar and select the relevant option.
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