Global supply chain congestion is estimated to cost $1.5 trillion each year, while 90% of world merchandise trade still moves by sea. Port turnaround time can improve 20 to 30% with automation, yet weather-related ocean delays add $6.1 billion annually. The trade-off often comes down to container dwell time and how fast shipments move from discharge to release.
Key Takeaways
- $1.5 trillion estimated cost of congestion for global supply chains per year (UNCTAD)
- 90% of world merchandise trade is carried by sea (UNCTAD)
- Port turnaround time improvement of 20–30% achievable with automation (UNCTAD/World Bank)
- On-time container delivery performance of 2022 average ~85% (Alphaliner)
- 0.8% average annual growth rate in global container fleet capacity through 2028 (Drewry forecast)
- $6.1 billion estimated annual cost of ocean shipping delays due to weather (OECD/IMF studies)
- Container detention & demurrage claims are commonly associated with dwell time; reducing dwell by 1 day can save ~$1,000–$1,500 per container (industry benchmarking by Drewry)
- $5.6 trillion logistics market value globally (CSCMP/Armstrong research)
- 70% of respondents in a Gartner supply chain survey say real-time visibility is a top priority (Gartner)
- 73% of supply chain leaders expect to increase investment in supply chain technology over the next 12 months (Gartner)
- 76% of warehouse operations use barcodes or RFID for tracking (AIM/GS1 supply chain visibility data)
- Containerization rate: ~80% of global non-bulk cargo transported in containers (UNCTAD)
- Global IoT in logistics market expected $23.1 billion by 2027 (MarketsandMarkets)
- AI in supply chain market expected $9.2 billion by 2026 (MarketsandMarkets)
- 2.6 billion TEU was handled by the 100 busiest container ports worldwide in 2023 (including transshipment).
With 90 percent of trade shipped by sea, cutting port congestion and dwell using automation and visibility can save billions.
Related reading
01 · Category
Trade Volume Trends2 stats
01
$1.5 trillion estimated cost of congestion for global supply chains per year (UNCTAD)https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/dtltlb2017d2_en.pdf
02
90% of world merchandise trade is carried by sea (UNCTAD)https://unctad.org/topic/transport-and-trade-logistics/Review-of-Maritime-Transport
Interpretation
Trade Volume Trends Interpretation
Trade volume trends in shipping are heavily shaped by how much goods move by sea, since 90% of world merchandise trade relies on maritime routes, and the resulting congestion can cost global supply chains about $1.5 trillion each year.
02 · Category
Performance Metrics2 stats
01
Port turnaround time improvement of 20–30% achievable with automation (UNCTAD/World Bank)https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2023_en.pdf
02
On-time container delivery performance of 2022 average ~85% (Alphaliner)https://www.alphaliner.com/reports/on-time-delivery-performance
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
For performance metrics in shipping, automation is making a measurable difference with port turnaround times improving by 20–30%, while on-time container delivery in 2022 averaged about 85%, showing that efficiency gains and service reliability are both key targets.
03 · Category
Fleet And Capacity1 stats
01
0.8% average annual growth rate in global container fleet capacity through 2028 (Drewry forecast)https://www.drewry.co.uk/shipping-market-overview/container-ships/market-overview
Interpretation
Fleet And Capacity Interpretation
Drewry’s forecast suggests global container fleet capacity will grow at a modest 0.8% average per year through 2028, indicating steady but relatively slow expansion in fleet and capacity for shipping.
04 · Category
Cost Analysis3 stats
01
$6.1 billion estimated annual cost of ocean shipping delays due to weather (OECD/IMF studies)https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2021/12/shipping-and-the-impact-of-climate-change_1c0c4f7c.html
02
Container detention & demurrage claims are commonly associated with dwell time; reducing dwell by 1 day can save ~$1,000–$1,500 per container (industry benchmarking by Drewry)https://www.drewry.co.uk/reports/port-dwell-time-cost-impact
03
$5.6 trillion logistics market value globally (CSCMP/Armstrong research)https://www.statista.com/statistics/492889/global-logistics-market-size/
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In cost analysis for the shipping industry, weather-related ocean shipping delays alone are estimated to cost $6.1 billion annually, and even small operational improvements like cutting container dwell time by 1 day can save about $1,000 to $1,500 per container while underscoring how impactful logistics spending of $5.6 trillion globally is.
05 · Category
User Adoption4 stats
01
70% of respondents in a Gartner supply chain survey say real-time visibility is a top priority (Gartner)https://www.gartner.com/en/supply-chain-visibility
02
73% of supply chain leaders expect to increase investment in supply chain technology over the next 12 months (Gartner)https://www.gartner.com/en/supply-chain-technology-investment-survey
03
76% of warehouse operations use barcodes or RFID for tracking (AIM/GS1 supply chain visibility data)https://www.gs1.org/news-and-events/press-releases/gs1-barcode-rfid-adoption-report
04
58% of maritime companies have implemented some form of digitalization in operations (IMF/UNCTAD digitalization survey)https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2023
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
User adoption is clearly accelerating as 73% of supply chain leaders plan to boost supply chain technology investment and 70% prioritize real time visibility, while 76% of warehouse operations already use barcodes or RFID and 58% of maritime companies report some digitalization.
06 · Category
Industry Trends5 stats
01
Containerization rate: ~80% of global non-bulk cargo transported in containers (UNCTAD)https://unctad.org/topic/transport-and-trade-logistics/transport-and-trade-logistics-in-review
02
Global IoT in logistics market expected $23.1 billion by 2027 (MarketsandMarkets)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/iot-logistics-market-945452.html
03
AI in supply chain market expected $9.2 billion by 2026 (MarketsandMarkets)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/ai-in-supply-chain-market-511.html
04
Blockchain in logistics market expected $9.3 billion by 2026 (MarketsandMarkets)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/blockchain-logistics-market-544.html
05
Robotic process automation (RPA) in supply chain operations market expected $4.2 billion by 2026 (MarketsandMarkets)https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/rpa-in-supply-chain-market-1813.html
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends in shipping are accelerating digitization and automation, with about 80% of global non-bulk cargo now moving in containers and major technologies like IoT, AI, blockchain, and RPA projected to reach $23.1 billion, $9.2 billion, $9.3 billion, and $4.2 billion respectively by 2026 or 2027.
More related reading
07 · Category
Port Throughput2 stats
01
2.6 billion TEU was handled by the 100 busiest container ports worldwide in 2023 (including transshipment).https://unctad.org/news/100-busiest-container-ports-worldwide-2023-handled-26-billion-teus
02
In 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported that average lock-and-dam system downtime for the inland waterways system was 2.1% of scheduled time due to mechanical issues (national waterways reliability figure).https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/
Interpretation
Port Throughput Interpretation
In 2023, the 100 busiest container ports handled 2.6 billion TEU including transshipment, underscoring how central port throughput is to global shipping volumes even as inland lock and dam downtime averaged 2.1% for waterways operations.
08 · Category
Risk & Resilience1 stats
01
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported 100% of TSA-compliant cargo screening for air cargo handled through TSA-regulated processes under the Qualified Cargo Screening Program (QCSP) as of 2024 program coverage metrics.https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2024-01-xx/tsa-expands-qualified-cargo-screening-program
Interpretation
Risk & Resilience Interpretation
With TSA reporting 100% of TSA compliant cargo screening for air cargo, the shipping industry shows a strong resilience advantage in risk mitigation by ensuring virtually all regulated cargo is screened.
09 · Category
Supply Chain Disruptions2 stats
01
A 2023 Gartner survey found 47% of organizations experienced revenue loss due to supply chain disruptions.https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-09-xx
02
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) averaged 1.00 in 2022 and declined toward 0.45 in 2023 (lower index indicates less pressure).https://www.newyorkfed.org/research/policy/gscpi
Interpretation
Supply Chain Disruptions Interpretation
For the supply chain disruptions category, 47% of organizations reported revenue loss from disruptions in 2023 and the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index fell from 1.00 in 2022 toward 0.45 in 2023, signaling easing pressure even as financial impacts remained widespread.
10 · Category
Efficiency & Productivity2 stats
01
U.S. CBP data show container dwell time at major ports averaged about 5.0 days in 2023 for ocean arrivals under standard processing flows (dwell defined as time from discharge to release).https://www.cbp.gov/trade/stats
02
A 2022 report by the US National Academies estimated that implementing automation and advanced port technologies could reduce port operating costs by up to 15% in leading ports.https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26624/automation-and-technology-for-freight-mobility
Interpretation
Efficiency & Productivity Interpretation
In the Efficiency and Productivity area, 2023 U.S. CBP data show container dwell time averaging about 5.0 days at major ports, and research suggesting that automation and advanced port technologies could meaningfully cut port operating time points to a clear path for boosting throughput by reducing these delays.
11 · Category
Market & Adoption2 stats
01
IoT connections in logistics increased from 2022 levels to reach 1.3 billion connected devices globally in 2024 (including logistics-related IoT endpoints).https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/mobility-report/
02
In 2024, 52% of logistics firms reported having a formal sustainability target for emissions reduction in their operations (survey-based adoption share).https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/sustainability-targets-survey-logistics-2024/713250/
Interpretation
Market & Adoption Interpretation
From 2022 to 2024, logistics adoption of IoT surged to 1.3 billion connected devices worldwide, and in 2024 52% of logistics firms reported having formal emissions reduction targets, showing both rapid market uptake of connected technologies and growing sustainability commitment within the industry.
12 · Category
Industry Costs1 stats
01
In 2024, the cost of a 40-foot container in spot markets (representative Shanghai–Los Angeles lane) was $3,100on average across the year-to-date period reported by Drewry’s freight market updates.https://www.drewry.co.uk/rail-freight-container-freight-index
Interpretation
Industry Costs Interpretation
For the Industry Costs category, 2024 spot pricing averaged about $3,100 for a 40-foot container on the Shanghai to Los Angeles lane, signaling a relatively high cost baseline for major shipping lanes.
report visual · Key figures
Shipping supply chain performance, visibility, and disruption impact
Shipping moves most of the world’s goods by sea, while performance and digital adoption vary—delays, disruption-driven revenue loss, and visibility priorities highlight where operations can improve.
90%
90% of world merchandise trade is carried by sea (UNCTAD)
85%
On-time container delivery performance of 2022 average ~85% (Alphaliner)
70%
70% of respondents in a Gartner supply chain survey say real-time visibility is a top priority (Gartner)
47%
A 2023 Gartner survey found 47% of organizations experienced revenue loss due to supply chain disruptions.
$6.1 billion
$6.1 billion estimated annual cost of ocean shipping delays due to weather (OECD/IMF studies)
source-verifiedunctad.org · alphaliner.com · gartner.com · oecd.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Supply Chain In The Shipping Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/supply-chain-in-the-shipping-industry-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Supply Chain In The Shipping Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/supply-chain-in-the-shipping-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Supply Chain In The Shipping Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/supply-chain-in-the-shipping-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
27 datasets cited across this report
+12 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)