Better Late Than Never

In this week’s Roar: Schedule reliability hits a new low, ranking supply chain priorities, a flatter peak season, record September imports, and a new EU-China trade deal.

Container shipping’s on-time performance went from bad to worse this quarter. According to industry analysts, only 27% of vessels arrived on time in September, and average delays stretched to six days in Q3. Asia-Europe was hit hardest, with just 4% of ships on schedule and delays averaging nearly 10 days. Expectations are that Q4 will be even worse. For shippers, that means building in extra lead time and closely monitoring in-transit shipments.

What should supply chain leaders really be focused on? One industry perspective argues that some of 2026’s most popular priorities are overrated. Predicting every disruption matters less than recovering quickly when one hits. More dashboards and alerts can become distractions, so companies are better served by building flexible systems and processes that adapt to change.

The traditional peak shipping season is losing its peak. The data show volumes started climbing in late May this year as shippers deliberately spread shipments out in response to well-documented market disruptions, resulting in a flatter, longer season. Only about 60% of sailings are running on schedule, and warehouse space has filled up faster than in previous years. The message for shippers is to book early and look for ways to diversify modes and routing.

Despite all the doom and gloom, U.S. importers aren’t slowing down. Container imports reached 2.55 million TEUs in September, the highest September volume on record and up 10.3% from a year ago. Imports from China jumped 21.2% year over year, pushing China’s share of total U.S. imports to 36.3%. West Coast ports gained ground while East and Gulf Coast volumes declined, and transit delays increased at eight of the top ten gateways. Analysts recommend closely monitoring where congestion flares up and not overlooking fast-changing tariff exposure.

The EU and China reached a preliminary trade agreement, but analysts say it raises more questions than it answers. China agreed to limit hybrid vehicle exports to Europe, cut tariffs on some EU products like car parts and some consumer goods, and ease licensing for rare earths and magnets. Critics point out that the tariff cuts save only about €225 million against a €360 billion trade deficit. Shippers moving goods between the two regions should watch for further EU trade measures that could quickly shift flows.

For the rest of the week’s top shipping news, check out the article highlights below.