Ocean Transit Times Rose In Q4

Businesses relying on ocean freight are experiencing significant shipping delays as the global average transit time for ocean shipments rose to 68 days in the fourth quarter, up from 60 days in the same period last year. This increase, tracked from initial booking to clearing the gate at the final port, highlights the impact of ongoing disruptions, according to E2open.

The delays are largely due to continued instability at key ports, driven by geopolitical tensions, labor shortages, and congestion. E2open’s quarterly “Ocean Shipping Index” report attributes the year-over-year increase primarily to longer actual transit times, compounded by extreme volatility, which has created a challenging environment for businesses that rely on ocean freight.