Schedule reliability, the share of container ships arriving according to schedule, has been trending down in 2026. According to the report Sea-Intelligence published at the end of September, only half of ships arrived on time in August.
August 2026 figures
- Global schedule reliability: 49.9%, the lowest level since September 2022. In July it was 56.4%.
- Average delay: Late vessels arrived 6.81 days late on average, the highest since March 2022.
- Main cause: Sea-Intelligence attributes the decline to port congestion in Asia.
By carrier and alliance
| Carrier (August 2026) | Reliability |
|---|---|
| Maersk | 67.3% (highest) |
| Hapag-Lloyd | 61.5% |
| MSC | 55.2% |
| CMA CGM | 50.6% |
| Wan Hai | 23.2% (lowest) |
Among alliances, Gemini (77.8%) was the most reliable on a July–August average, followed by MSC (70.1%), Ocean Alliance (48.3%) and Premier Alliance (43.2%). None of the top 13 carriers improved year on year.
What does it mean for cargo owners?
Schedule reliability of around 50% means that one in two shipments arrives on a different day than planned. Practical consequences:
- Production and sales planning: Raw materials or sales stock may arrive late.
- Extra cost: Containers staying at the port or with the customer beyond free time can trigger demurrage and detention charges.
- Transshipment risk: On transshipped cargo, a delay can mean missing the connecting vessel.
Five tips against delays
- Build in buffer time: Add extra days to delivery dates for critical cargo.
- Negotiate free time: Ask about free time at the destination port at the quotation stage.
- Consider direct services: Services without transshipment shorten the chain of delays.
- Track: Check the line’s tracking system or your agent’s notifications regularly.
- Be flexible with part loads: For cargo that does not fill a container, LCL/consolidation can make it easier to split shipments into smaller, more frequent lots.
Frequently asked questions
How is schedule reliability measured?
Sea-Intelligence measures whether ships arrive within a set tolerance of the scheduled date and reports the share of on-time arrivals as a percentage.
What is the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage is charged when a full container stays at the port beyond free time; detention is charged when a container is returned late to the line after leaving the port. Practice varies by line.
Sources
- Sea-Intelligence: Press room
- World Cargo News: Sea-Intelligence – schedule reliability falls to 2026 low
- Global Maritime Hub: Global schedule reliability drops below 50% in August
This article is based on sources published up to 26 October 2026.