Disruptions drag down global box port productivity
- World Bank Group’s Container Port Performance Index report shows that average global container port efficiency declined between 2020 and 2024
- Red Sea crisis, Panama Canal restrictions and pandemic were key factors in the decline in efficiency
Report highlights several developing country ports that made significant strides in operational efficiency including Dakar, Jawaharlal Nehru and Port Said
GLOBAL container port productivity declined between 2020 and 2024 because of a combination of disruptions including the Red Sea Crisis, Panama Canal constraints and pandemic-related shocks.
According to the annual Container Port Performance Index, jointly compiled by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence, performance varied significantly across regions, with some ports achieving significant improvements.
The findings, which are based on the benchmarking of 403 box ports worldwide, measured port efficiency using some 175,000 vessel port calls and 247m container moves since 2020.
East Asian ports outpaced all other regions, demonstrating improved performance and claiming top spots in the 2024 rankings. Ports in South Asia also showed “a remarkable recovery” over 2023.
Meanwhile, big ports in North America and Europe maintained stable performance levels, and largely held their ground compared to 2023 figures, despite geopolitical and supply chain challenges.
The report highlights several developing country ports that made significant strides in operational efficiency between 2020 and 2024. Among the top performers were Dakar, in Senegal, Jawaharlal Nehru in India, Mersin in Türkiye and Port Said in Egypt.
The improvements were attributed to strong political commitment, partnerships with global terminal operators, streamlined trade procedures and targeted investments from financial institutions.
“Even amid the multiple shocks, developing country ports are finding ways to adapt, improve and maximise value,” said World Bank global director for transport Nicolas Peltier-Thiberge.
“It’s a reminder that with better planning, technology and co-operation across the logistics chain, ports can make significant strides in their efficiency.”
Key metrics of the report included total vessel time in port, a critical metric for assessing port reliability and efficiency. The report also identifies strategies that have delivered measurable gains, including the introduction of around-the-clock crane operations and optimal crane deployment.
