Pacific International Lines (PIL) has claimed the title of the most reliable container line among the top 12 global carriers in the second quarter of 2024, ending Maersk’s dominance that began in the third quarter of 2021. This shift in reliability rankings was reported by eeSea in their latest container reliability scorecard.
The industry-wide average delay times rose significantly by over 30% in Q2 2024, reaching an average of 4.2 days compared to 3.2 days in the previous quarter. Correspondingly, on-time performance declined slightly from 27% to 25%. Despite these overall negative trends, PIL managed to improve its average delay times to 2.6 days, maintaining a 27% on-time performance. According to eeSea’s methodology, any delay of under 12 hours is considered an on-time arrival, with data sourced from container line published schedules, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and port data.
Maersk, while still performing admirably, fell to second place by a narrow margin of 0.1 days in average delay. It was followed by Zim Integrated Shipping Services and Wan Hai Lines, which secured third and fourth places, respectively. Among container alliances, Ocean Alliance took the top spot for having the lowest average delays, displacing non-alliance services which had been leading since Q3 2020 through Q1 2023.
PIL Tops Container Reliability Rankings in Q2 2024
When accounting for vessel sharing agreements (VSAs) and alliances, which include each vessel on which a carrier operates, CMA CGM led eeSea’s VSA rankings, with Maersk again taking the second position.
The report highlighted several pressures on global trade, with regional impacts varying significantly.
“All east-west trades experienced negative influences such as severe congestion, political instability, and the looming threat of strikes. These issues particularly affected Asia-Europe and the East Coast of North America,” the report stated.
Interestingly, despite threats of industrial action, the West Coast of North America was the only region to show improvement in average delays, reducing from 4.0 days in Q1 to 3.6 days in Q2.
The schedule data underscored the operational challenges faced by major ports like Singapore, which struggled with schedule disruptions due to vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea.
“Singapore, one of the world’s largest transshipment hubs, nearly entered the Top-50 in Q2 but suffered an average delay increase of 2 days, dropping from 62nd to 66th place. This was likely due in part to severe congestion that lasted for six weeks,” the report explained.
The significant congestion in Singapore reflects broader disruptions in the global supply chain, impacting various stakeholders, including shippers and port operators. As global trade continues to face challenges, the reliability rankings of container lines and their operational strategies remain crucial in managing delays and ensuring efficient cargo movement.
This development in container line reliability underscores the dynamic and challenging nature of maritime logistics. As carriers like PIL demonstrate improved performance amidst industry-wide difficulties, it prompts a reevaluation of strategies to enhance reliability and efficiency. With ongoing pressures from political instability, industrial actions, and logistical disruptions, maintaining high reliability remains a complex yet essential goal for global carriers.
