Why are port waiting times so elevated, and what is Maersk doing about it?

Port congestion is driven by strong cargo volumes coupled with labor constraints and operational challenges. As of mid-September, 70+ vessels were anchored at Los Angeles and Long Beach, with wait times rising significantly. Maersk is deploying additional loader vessels, reducing port calls to improve reliability, and launching new services (TP-X and TP20) on US West and East Coast routes to bolster capacity.

What is causing the critical container shortage in Asia?

Containers are stranded longer in North America and Europe due to port and landside congestion, reducing equipment availability for export shipments from Asia. Maersk reports that despite tripling its dry freight container fleet and increasing empty container flows back to Asia, import container turnaround times continue to increase. Equipment availability in China and Vietnam is expected to remain tight through year-end.

Will freight rates remain high, or could they decline if demand softens?

Maersk attributes high freight rates not to demand growth alone, but to port congestion and supply-chain bottlenecks. Even if retail demand declines, cargo volumes are expected to remain strong as inventory levels rebuild from record lows in the US and Europe. This structural supply-demand imbalance suggests rates will remain elevated regardless of seasonal demand fluctuations.

Which regions are experiencing the worst congestion, and are there any exceptions?

The worst congestion is in the US (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Savannah, Seattle), Asia Pacific (Yantian, Nansha), and across the UK due to severe trucking shortages. Port of Rotterdam is experiencing moderate trucking constraints but operating more smoothly than UK ports. Latin American ports are also seeing significant delays. European ports in general are managing better than North American and Asia Pacific facilities.

Should shippers expect schedule reliability to improve soon?

Maersk explicitly states that schedule reliability remains a critical concern and will likely worsen before improving. The company is rationalizing schedules and adjusting voyage numbers to match actual departure weeks, but it does not expect immediate relief. Q4 demand surges from China's Golden Week, Christmas, and pre-Chinese New Year shipments will further strain capacity through December 2021.

Shipping & Freight

High Impact

Maersk: Port Congestion and Bottlenecks to Last Through Year-End

Oct 21, 2026

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The signal

Maersk has signaled that supply chain bottlenecks driven by port congestion, equipment shortages, and operational delays will continue through the end of 2021, despite strong container demand growth of 6-8%. The company identified critical congestion points at Los Angeles, Long Beach, Savannah, Seattle, and Rotterdam, with vessel waiting times exceeding 7-12 days in some cases.

Record-low inventory levels in the US and Europe mean cargo volumes will remain elevated even as retail demand eventually declines, as businesses rebuild depleted stocks. Maersk is deploying additional vessels, rationalizing service schedules, and rapidly increasing its container fleet to manage the crisis, but acknowledges these measures alone are insufficient without faster empty container turnaround times.

The outlook remains challenging for Asia-to-North America and Asia-to-Europe trade lanes, with network utilization expected to remain above 95% through the quarter.

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#container-shortage

#supply-chain-bottleneck

#maersk-update

#ocean-freight

#equipment-availability

#peak-season-challenges

#schedule-reliability

#asia-exports

#inventory-rebuild

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if container equipment turnaround times extend another 5-7 days across US ports?

Model a scenario in which average container dwell time at US ports (LA, Long Beach, Savannah, Seattle) increases from current elevated levels by an additional 5-7 days. Simulate the cascading impact on equipment availability for export shipments originating from Asia, the required safety stock increase for Asia-based shippers, and the compounding effect on Q4 holiday season capacity.

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Simulation Suggestion

immediate

What if inventory rebuild demand accelerates faster than port throughput can support?

Simulate the scenario where US and European retailers, facing record-low inventory levels, front-load import orders to rebuild stock faster than ports can process incoming containers. Model the resulting surge in inbound volume, the strain on warehousing capacity, and the optimal order timing and allocation strategy to balance urgency against port congestion penalties.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if container availability in Asia Pacific remains constrained through Q1 2022?

Model the extended scenario where equipment shortages in China and Vietnam persist beyond year-end into Q1 2022, forcing shippers to either pay premium rates for spot equipment, delay shipments, or negotiate service level concessions. Simulate demand allocation strategies and the impact on market share for Asia-Pacific export-focused manufacturers.

Run this scenario

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