Two weeks after hitting a three-year high, weekly average waiting times at major Chinese ports have fallen by 32%, bringing them to the lowest levels of the year. Sea Analytics shows that this improvement has come swiftly, reversing the sharp congestion spike we reported on 28 October 2025.
*The information included reflects market developments and available data as of 10th November 2025.
Daily average time in port – Sea Analytics.
The recovery follows the announcement of a year-long pause on planned sanctions and special port fees, which has eased the regulatory uncertainty that contributed to earlier congestion.
What’s notable is that this improvement has occurred alongside a significant increase in activity. Port callings at Chinese ports have risen 62% over the same two-week period – 30% higher than the same week last year. Typically, an increase in vessel arrivals would push waiting times up. Instead, they’ve fallen.
Daily port callings – Sea Analytics.
The surge in activity reflects a broader market response: carriers who had been waiting to see how trade policies would evolve are now moving quickly, front-loading cargoes and taking advantage of the reprieve. The one-year pause provides temporary clarity for operators, though the longer-term outlook will depend on future policy decisions.
Sea’s Intelligence and Analytics continues to track these trends in real time, enabling maritime professionals to benchmark port performance, compare regional congestion patterns, and make informed decisions about vessel scheduling, cargo routing, and freight planning as market conditions shift. To learn more, click here.
