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Global container shipping schedule reliability experienced a notable recovery in the second quarter of 2026, with on-time performance reaching 39% in May. This marked the highest level since December 2023 and represented a consistent improvement from March and April. Concurrently, the average vessel delay decreased to 3.4 days, the lowest recorded since July 2025. However, this positive momentum stalled in June, as on-time arrivals fell by two percentage points to 37%, and average delays increased to 3.6 days.
Blank sailings showed signs of easing in Q2, dropping to 9% of planned TEU in June, which was lower than the 12% recorded in June 2025. This indicates a potential shift in carrier capacity management strategies. Regionally, the East Coast South America trade lane led the recovery, achieving 54% on-time performance, a significant 17 percentage point increase from Q1. The Far East–Europe trade also saw a substantial improvement, gaining 14 percentage points to reach 39% reliability. In stark contrast, the Middle East trade lane was a major exception, with on-time arrivals falling to just 25% by the end of Q2, largely due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this data highlights persistent volatility despite overall Q2 improvements. The stalling reliability in June suggests that while some trade lanes are recovering, others, particularly those impacted by geopolitical events like the Middle East, remain highly unpredictable. The reduction in blank sailings could offer some relief in terms of capacity, but forwarders should remain vigilant about potential rate fluctuations influenced by capacity management. The significant disparity in performance among alliances and individual carriers, with Gemini Cooperation leading and Ocean Alliance showing a strong turnaround, means that carrier selection based on specific trade lane performance is crucial for maintaining supply chain stability. The exclusion of Jebel Ali from congestion rankings reveals that while the Middle East is a major disruption, other regions like Africa and the Indian Subcontinent are experiencing significant vessel wait times, requiring careful planning for shipments to these areas.
