S&P Global Market Intelligence reports that port performance across the Middle East, India and Africa showed mixed but notable changes during the third quarter of 2025. The assessment covers key indicators shaping maritime logistics, port performance, shipping operations, and overall container throughput in major terminals across the region.
Middle East and India: Consistent Calls, Steady Gains
Port activity in the Middle East and India remained broadly stable. Many ports recorded similar average call sizes and total vessel calls compared to last year. Oceanside productivity improved at most locations, with some ports delivering strong year-over-year gains. Djibouti stood out with the largest improvement in this category.
Berth productivity also strengthened across much of the region. Ports such as Muhammad Bin Qasim and Djibouti posted the most significant advancements. These gains supported smoother operations and reduced handling bottlenecks.
Most ports in the sample group recorded year-over-year improvements across multiple indicators. Import dwell time ranged between three and nine days for most ports. Export dwell time followed a similar range, typically between three and ten days. Transshipment dwell time showed wider variation, but most cases fell between three and ten days.
Africa: Growing Call Sizes but Mixed Efficiency Trends
African ports recorded larger call sizes and more total calls compared with last year. This upward shift indicates increased cargo consolidation and a rising flow of container volumes through regional hubs.
Oceanside productivity showed uneven performance. Some ports registered efficiency gains, with Durban achieving the most notable improvement. Berth productivity advanced at many ports, including strong progress in Cape Town.
Arrival process time increased at several locations. Mombasa and Conakry recorded the largest rises, adding pressure to schedule reliability.
Import dwell time showed varied patterns across the region. Cape Town, Durban and Ngqura maintained short dwell times, while most ports saw averages between two and ten days. Export dwell time also varied widely. Conakry and Luanda recorded sharp increases in October 2025, while most ports remained within a three-to-twelve-day range.
Transshipment dwell time displayed broad variation. Durban, Cotonou and Cape Town achieved marked improvements by late October. Across the wider sample, most cases ranged between seven and seventeen days.
Overall Assessment
The third quarter of 2025 presented a mixed picture for regional ports. Productivity gains in several hubs point to ongoing operational improvements. Yet inconsistent dwell times and rising arrival process delays highlight persistent congestion challenges. With growing cargo volumes and evolving trade patterns, the need for reliable, efficient port operations remains critical for the region’s maritime supply chain.
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Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
