Compared to the first two months of 2006, the latest quarter measured by Drewry Shipping Consultants indicates an 11% drop in on-time arrivals. Liner schedule reliability was at a record low on the 20 trade routes Drewry tracks.
During the quarter, 23% of vessels arrived one calendar day late. Another 29% arrived two or more days late. A small proportion (1%) arrived two days ahead of schedule, which for purposes of the survey is also considered not to be on time.
The survey tracked 2,144 container ship and multipurpose liner vessel arrivals operated by more than 60 carriers worldwide.
Transpacific arrivals were above average at 56% on time.
By carrier, Samudera and Matson scored better than 90% on time arrivals.
“Unless something is done, shippers will have to build more buffer time in their supply chains to deal with the damaging risk of variability in liner schedules,” said Philip Damas, lead researcher on the Drewry Container Shipper Insight. Port congestion, particularly at the Port of Rotterdam, was a major contributor. Delays on one part have an impact on subsequent port calls.
Drewry contents that one potential solution would be to highlight the stronger performers and encourage shippers to agree to different freight rate levels depending on their schedule reliability.
