Volumes recovering at Chinese ports

1st July 2022

Logistics BusinessVolumes recovering at Chinese ports

FourKites, a leading real-time supply chain visibility platform, has seen a recovery in import and export ocean shipment volume at Chinese ports over the past weeks as COVID-19 lockdowns have eased.

Volume at the Port of Shanghai has increased since mid-May, with the 14-day average ocean shipment volume now up 2% compared to 12 March (the day before lockdowns went into effect) for shipments tracked by FourKites. This is up from mid-May, where shipment volume was down as much as 25% over the same period. For other Chinese ports, volume tracked by FourKites has remained strong, with volume at the Port of Shenzhen up 37% and volume at the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan up 32% compared to 12 March.

FourKites has continued to see strong recovery in volume traveling from China to the United States. The 14-day average shipment volume for loads traveling from China to the United States is now up 8% compared to levels seen on 12 March. Volume along this lane had previously reached a low of 43% lower in mid to late April. Delays have decreased correspondingly, with the 14-day average percentage of shipments delayed along this lane at 27% compared to the high of 39% seen in mid to late April.

Average transit times for loads arriving in the United States from Shanghai remain elevated but show some signs of recovery. The 28-day average transit time for shipments traveling from Shanghai to the United States is now at 69.2 days, up 24% from 12 March. This is down from the peak of 75 days seen in mid-May.

Dwell times for export shipments for Chinese ports has shown some signs of recovery over the past weeks. The 14-day average ocean dwell time for export shipments tracked by FourKites is now at 7.5 days, an increase of 11% compared to 12 March. This is down 17% from the high seen earlier in June. Import dwell time at Chinese ports remains above levels seen before the lockdown, with the 14-day average ocean dwell time now at 4.5 days. This is a 12% increase compared to 12 March.

FourKites has also continued to see a recovery in over-the-road and rail/intermodal shipment volume in the city of Shanghai. The 14-day average shipment volume for loads being delivered to Shanghai is now up 3% compared to 12 March. Volume being picked up from Shanghai continues to climb, but is still down 74% compared to 12 March.