Asian container ports struggle with the worst congestion in 20 years

© Khunaspix Dreamstime.

Schedule reliability has become a watchword in shipping. And according to this article, it is getting worse, with congestion in Asian ports hampering box lines. The worst is Manila, according to MCC Transport, but Hong Kong, Shanghai, Qingdao and Incheon are also suffering. The cause is said to be vessel sharing, which is leading to significant numbers of inter-terminal transfers, holding up the process, with vessels waiting outside ports for several days. “I have to say that I have been in this business for more than 24 years and I don’t think I have experienced anything as operationally challenging as I have over the last six months,” said CEO Tim Wickman. And with rising intra-Asian volumes and the typhoon season on its way, the problem is expected to worsen.