The World Bank's latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), published in September 2025 and covering the period from 2020 to 2024, highlights that port efficiency declined slightly in 2024 due to shocks like the Red Sea crisis and disruptions at the Panama Canal, yet improvements were noted in some regions, with Asian ports continuing to lead. The CPPI, a collaboration with S&P Global Market Intelligence, measures port efficiency by vessel time in port, and key performance improvements stemmed from reducing time at anchor, optimizing berth operations, adopting digital tools, and fostering logistics coordination.
Key Findings and Trends
- Declining Efficiency: The global CPPI average saw a modest decline in 2024, reversing a recovery trend, due to intensified supply chain pressures from the Red Sea crisis and climate-related disruptions at the Panama Canal.
- Regional Dynamics: Asian ports maintained their strong performance in operational efficiency, while the Middle East and North Africa saw a setback, and North America's West Coast ports recorded some of the lowest CPPI scores globally.
- Resilience and Improvements: Despite the global downturn, some ports, like Port Said in Egypt and Dakar in Senegal, improved significantly through actions such as crane upgrades, customs digitalization, and improved hinterland connectivity.
- Factors Driving Improvement: Successful ports implemented strategies including reducing vessel wait times at anchor, optimizing berth productivity, leveraging digital port technologies, and enhancing collaboration among logistics stakeholders.
Top-Performing and Noteworthy Ports
- Asian Leadership: Asian ports continued to dominate the top tier of the efficiency rankings.
- Port Said's Rise: Port Said, Egypt, achieved a top global ranking, credited to the expansion of its container terminal and digital port systems.
- Tanger Med, Morocco: This port remained a leading performer, ranking among the top five globally.
- Dakar's Progress: Dakar was the highest-ranked port in Sub-Saharan Africa, showing substantial improvement.
The CPPI's Significance
- Benchmark for Performance: The CPPI serves as a vital global benchmark for container port efficiency.
- Informative Tool: By analyzing factors like freight rates, congestion, and supply chain pressure, the index helps stakeholders make decisions that enhance port efficiency, strengthen resilience, and support economic growth.
- Long-Term Analysis: This edition, consolidating five years of data, transforms the CPPI into a long-term reference, illustrating how global crises have impacted shipping and how different regions have adapted to foster more reliable and sustainable maritime supply chains.
Key Takeaway
At Freightways, we stay in the know — constantly monitoring global port performance and logistics trends to ensure we adapt, optimize, and deliver on time. Our expertise helps clients navigate congestion, reduce dwell times, and keep supply chains running smoothly. Contact us to learn how we can help you stay ahead in an ever-evolving logistics landscape.
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