Global Container Shipping Schedule Reliability Reaches Highest Level of 2026 So Far

Sea-Intelligence has released Issue 177 of its Global Liner Performance (GLP) report, providing updated schedule reliability data for the global container shipping industry through April 2026. The latest figures indicate a continued improvement in schedule reliability, reaching its highest level of the year and reflecting positive operational developments among major ocean carriers.

Global Schedule Reliability Continues to Improve

In April 2026, global schedule reliability reached 62.4%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to the previous month and the highest level recorded so far in 2026.

Compared with April 2025, schedule reliability improved by 4.0 percentage points, highlighting a clear upward trend in carrier operational performance.

At the same time, average delays for late vessel arrivals also declined. The average delay decreased by 0.27 days month-on-month to 5.34 days in April.

However, despite this improvement, average delays remained 0.31 days higher than in the same month last year.

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Lead Carrier Rankings

Among the world's 13 largest container shipping lines, Maersk once again recorded the highest schedule reliability in April 2026, achieving a score of 76.1%.

Hapag-Lloyd followed closely behind with a schedule reliability rate of 75.1%.

The data further shows that five carriers achieved reliability levels between 60% and 70%, while another five carriers recorded results ranging from 50% to 60%.

At the other end of the ranking, Wan Hai Lines posted the lowest schedule reliability in April, at just 39.6%.

Looking at month-over-month performance, five of the thirteen carriers improved their schedule reliability compared to March. On a year-over-year basis, eleven carriers achieved stronger results than they did in April 2025.

Gemini Cooperation Continues to Lead Alliance Performance

During the March – April 2026 period, Gemini Cooperation remained the most reliable carrier alliance in the container shipping industry.

Based on the "All Arrivals" methodology, which measures schedule reliability across every port call within a service rotation, Gemini Cooperation achieved an on-time arrival rate of 85.0%.

Using the "Trade Arrivals" methodology, which measures only arrivals within the destination trade region, the alliance achieved a slightly higher reliability rate of 85.6%.

MSC ranked second, recording schedule reliability of 73.4% under the All Arrivals methodology and 72.3% under the Trade Arrivals methodology.

Meanwhile, Premier Alliance reported schedule reliability of 54.2% under both measurement approaches.

For the traditional carrier alliances, the difference between the All Arrivals and Trade Arrivals methodologies was minimal. Within this group, Ocean Alliance achieved a schedule reliability score of 67.6%.

Sea-Intelligence Continues to Use Dual Measurement Methodologies

According to Sea-Intelligence, schedule reliability for carrier alliances was traditionally measured primarily based on arrivals within the destination trade region.

However, when the new alliance structures were launched in February 2025, the available historical data under this methodology was insufficient for meaningful long-term comparisons. As a result, Sea-Intelligence introduced an additional measurement framework based on all port calls throughout a service rotation, covering every port included in East–West trade services.

Today, the research organization continues to publish both indicators simultaneously. The All Arrivals metric ensures continuity for evaluating the new alliance structures, while the Trade Arrivals metric preserves comparability with historical performance data from traditional carrier alliances.

Conclusion

Overall, the April 2026 data indicates that operational performance across the global container shipping industry continues to improve. Schedule reliability has reached its highest level of the year, while average delays are trending downward.

Most major carriers reported stronger results than they did a year ago, and Gemini Cooperation continues to maintain a significant lead over its competitors in terms of schedule reliability.

These developments provide positive signals for shippers, importers, exporters, and other stakeholders across global supply chains, particularly at a time when the container shipping market continues to face geopolitical uncertainties and operational challenges in several key regions.

See more:

• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 22/2026 | Phaata
• Global Container Freight Rates Face Renewed Upward Pressure
• WorldACD Report: Global Air Cargo Volumes and Rates Slowly Establish a New Equilibrium
• Sea-Intelligence Q1 2026 Report: Ocean Carriers' Operating Profits Decline Sharply Under Freight Rate Pressure
• COSCO SHIPPING North America Named AgTC’s 2026 Recognized Ocean Carrier
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Jun 2026
• COSCO updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Jun 2026
• COSCO updates Vietnam-North Europe sailing schedules in Jun 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Jun 2026
• Hapag-Lloyd Reports Q1 2026 Loss as Maersk Continues Avoiding the Strait of Hormuz Over Security Risks
• CMA CGM Maintains Resilient Performance in Q1 2026 Amid Geopolitical and Global Supply Chain Disruptions
• CMA CGM Deploys Largest French-Flagged LNG Container Ship on Asia–Europe Trade Lane
• Global Schedule Reliability No Longer Fully Reflects Diverging Conditions Across Asia–Europe Trade Lanes
• COSCO SHIPPING Lines Restarts SKX1 Shuttle Service Connecting Singapore and Kolkata
• MSC Launches Ochna Service to Strengthen Direct China–Vietnam Connectivity

Source: Phaata.com (According to Freight Waves)

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