In June 2025, global ports experienced some of the biggest delays in recent years, leading to significant disruptions in international trade. Port delays increased by 300%, with 96% of all container terminals affected. This impacts costs, delivery times, and your logistics. How do delays influence costs, delivery times, and logistics? In this article, we'll try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the June delays, their causes, and the impact on business so that you can better understand the problem and adjust your planning accordingly.
Key numbers
300% delay increase
Port dwell times have tripled, and congestion and resource depletion have worsened. Such global port delays are precedent-setting and the largest in the last 3–4 years.
96% of violated ports
As many as 96% of major container terminals suffered from operational disruptions worldwide. Singapore, Rotterdam, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Cape Town are critically congested and the most affected as critical points of international trade.
Duration of delays
Delays in some ports can reach 14 days, which increases logistics costs, disrupts operations, and delays the execution of long-delayed orders.
World's most congested ports (June 2025)
| Port | Country | Average delay time | Reasons for congestion |
| Singapore | Singapore | 10+ days | Overload, high volume of cargo, weather conditions |
| Rotterdam | Netherlands | 10+ days | Strikes, overload, high volume of cargo |
| Savannah | USA | 3-5 days | High demand, limited infrastructure, weather conditions |
| Vancouver | Canada | 3-5 days | High demand, limited infrastructure, weather conditions |
| Cape Town | South Africa | 10+ days | Poor weather conditions, limited infrastructure |
| Busan | South Korea | 3-5 days | High demand, limited number of berths |
| Hamburg | Germany | 48-72 hours | Congestion, high demand, limited number of berths |
| Antwerp | Belgium | 48-72 hours | Overload, high demand, limited number of berths |
| Hong Kong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Guangzhou | China | 3-6 days | High delivery costs, limited infrastructure, overload |
Insights by region
- Asia: China's ports (Shanghai, Ningbo Zhoushan, Qingdao) and Hong Kong are facing congestion due to high cargo volumes and limited infrastructure.
- Africa: The ports of Cape Town and Chittagong have high delay times due to weather conditions and old equipment.
- Europe: The ports of Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp are experiencing delays due to strikes and high demand.
- America: The ports of Savannah and Vancouver are facing congestion due to limited infrastructure and weather conditions.
- Middle East: The Port of Haifa has temporarily suspended ship handling due to geopolitical tensions.
Financial impact of delays
A list of the main financial aspects related to port delays, which are significantly changing global trade and supply chains, is provided:
Demurrage
Demurrage is a fee charged for storing containers at the terminal after the end of the free time for cargo handling.
The current fee is $75-$300 per container per day in the top 15 most congested ports in the world (Rotterdam, Singapore, Antwerp, and Cape Town) due to delays in cargo handling.
Vessel diversions led to tariff increases
Due to congestion in major ports and logistics hubs, vessels are being diverted through other ports, such as the Red Sea, which has led to a 141% increase in freight rates for sea transportation on the following routes: Red Sea ports, including Jeddah, Port Said, and the Suez Canal. The diversion of ships has led to an increase in tariffs.
Rising cost of Shanghai-Rotterdam transportation
The freight rates for the Shanghai-Rotterdam route increased by 230% compared to June 2013 due to congestion in the port of Rotterdam and higher fuel costs.
Other factors
- For the above reasons, the total cost of shipping by sea has increased by an average of 20-40%, especially in the ports of Singapore, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Cape Town.
- The risk for small companies is growing, as high shipping and demurrage costs can lead to bankruptcy of small businesses.
FAQ on global port delays
How do global port delays affect the stability of international trade?
Port delays can lead to serious disruptions in the supply of goods, forcing businesses to seek alternative routes or delay production. This can slow down the overall circulation of goods on world markets, causing instability at the global level.
Which ports will be most affected by container congestion in 2025?
Ports such as Rotterdam, Singapore, and Cape Town are the most congested in 2025. This is due to high demand, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. Singapore, in particular, has experienced delays of up to 10+ days, which has greatly complicated international logistics.
Which port routes are currently the most problematic for international trade?
The most problematic routes are:
- Shanghai-Rotterdam: Due to delays and high fuel costs, tariffs on this route increased by 230%.
- Red Sea: The diversion of vessels through Red Sea ports such as Jeddah and Port Said led to a 141% increase in tariffs.
What are the causes of delays in the most congested ports?
- Port congestion: The high volume of cargo exceeds the capacity of the terminals, especially in ports such as Rotterdam, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Qingdao, and Shanghai.
- Lack of labor: Ports such as Tanjung Perak are experiencing staff shortages due to strikes or staffing issues.
- Poor weather conditions: The ports of Cape Town and Chittagong are experiencing delays due to bad weather, which limits cargo handling capabilities.
How does redirecting cargo through the Red Sea change global logistics networks?
Redirecting cargo through the Red Sea helps to avoid delays in the ports of Singapore or Rotterdam, but it increases transportation costs and delivery times. This causes freight rates to rise and forces companies to change their logistics strategies, which reduces supply efficiency and increases costs.
What can be done to minimize the impact of delays on the delivery of goods?
- Use alternative ports or delivery routes to avoid congested terminals.
- Implement monitoring technologies to optimize logistics processes in real time.
- Review contracts with logistics partners to be able to respond more quickly to unforeseen delays.
Track your shipments: Visibility on any changes
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Currently, effective logistics planning is crucial.
Find out more about Container Tracking web integration and API connection for proactively executing your logistics
Interested in smooth logistics solutions tailored to your requirements? You’re always welcome to contact the SeaRates team at [email protected]. We are expecting to assist you with your current shipping needs.
