- Global on-time arrivals fell slightly in November to 34%, ending a seven-month sideways trend.
- Far East–Europe posted a mild rebound, supported by improved Northern European port congestion.
- Alliance performance diverged again, with Gemini declining and MSC edging upward.
Global schedule reliability closed November at 34%, easing from 36% in October, according to month-over-month trend analysis ahead of the Year in Review. Average vessel delay also ticked higher to –3.9 days.
This marks the first notable deviation after seven months of stability, where global performance hovered in the 35–38% range following the alliance shifts that reshaped Q1 and Q2 schedules.
Despite renewed interest surrounding limited Suez Canal transits, the impact remains too small to register. Current voyages are either inducement calls or not yet synchronized with fixed service proformas, meaning measurable gains likely won’t appear until January and beyond.
Trade Highlights: Far East–Europe Rebounds, South America East Coast Drops
The Far East–Europe trade continues a cautious recovery, climbing to 31% on-time performance, a 24% improvement from October. This places it just ahead of the Middle East and South America East Coast trades.
South America East Coast, which surged to 40% in October, returned to 23%, continuing a pattern of sharp monthly swings.
Congestion control in Northern Europe appears to be stabilizing performance — major hubs Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Hamburg have held congestion below 35% for six consecutive weeks.
Meanwhile, the South America West Coast maintained its lead at 45%, closely followed by Oceania at 43%, marking a steady upward trajectory since August.
Alliance Trends: Gemini Slips, MSC Edges Up
Alliance performances in November continued the micro-trend observed recently.
- Gemini declined to 74%, continuing a gradual erosion since Q2.
- MSC rose slightly to 29%, showing resilience despite its historical lower ranking.
- Non-alliance services fell to 33%, extending a material decline since mid-year.
Gemini’s volatility remains most visible on the Far East–Middle East trade, where small sample sizes amplify even minor disruptions. However, the trade weighing most heavily on Gemini’s monthly index remains Far East–Europe, which closed at 63%.
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Source: Xeneta
