Port performance worldwide experienced a decline from 2020 to 2024, according to the latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) report released by the World Bank Group and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The decrease in efficiency is attributed to several factors, including disruptions caused by the Red Sea Crisis, operational challenges at the Panama Canal, and ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these setbacks, regional variations were observed. East Asian ports showed improvement and led global rankings in 2024. South Asian ports demonstrated notable recovery over the past year. Meanwhile, ports in North America and Europe maintained performance levels similar to those seen in 2023.
The CPPI report highlights that some developing country ports made significant progress between 2020 and 2024. Ports such as Dakar in Senegal, Jawarharlal Nehru in India, Mersin in Türkiye, Port Said in Egypt, and Posorja in Ecuador improved their scores and rankings during this period. These advancements are linked to political commitment, collaboration with international terminal operators, streamlined trade processes, and targeted investments from financial institutions.
“Even amid the multiple shocks, developing country ports are finding ways to adapt, improve, and maximize value,” said Nicolas Peltier-Thiberge, Global Director for Transport at the World Bank. “It’s a reminder that with better planning, technology, and cooperation across the logistics chain, ports can make significant strides in their efficiency."
This year’s CPPI analyzed data from more than 175,000 vessel calls and 247 million container moves across 403 container ports globally. It focuses on total vessel time spent in port as a key measure of operational efficiency. For the first time, the report includes a multi-year trend analysis that examines how individual port performance has changed over five years.
The report also identifies strategies for improving competitiveness and resilience at ports. These include implementing continuous crane operations around the clock, optimizing crane use, and adopting digital platforms that integrate customs procedures with logistics partners.
"The CPPI, and its underlying data, serves as a diagnostic tool, enabling stakeholders to pinpoint structural inefficiencies and develop strategies for enhancing port operations," said Turloch Mooney, Global Head of Port Intelligence & Analytics at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "As we navigate an increasingly complex global shipping environment, understanding and improving port performance is essential for economic growth and competitiveness.”
The full report is available at https://hdl.handle.net/10986/43744