September 24, 2025 — Global container port efficiency has slipped in recent years, with the shipping sector weighed down by overlapping shocks including the Red Sea crisis, challenges at the Panama Canal, and lingering pandemic effects. However, a new report released on September 22, 2025 by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence shows that several developing ports have made remarkable strides, defying the global downturn.
The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, now in its fifth edition, assessed 403 container ports worldwide using data from more than 175,000 vessel calls and 247 million container moves. The analysis shows East Asian ports retaining global leadership, South Asia staging a strong rebound, and ports in North America and Europe demonstrating resilience by holding steady against 2023 levels.
“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.”
Developing Ports Stand Out
The CPPI flagged Dakar (Senegal), Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Mersin (Türkiye), Port Said (Egypt), and Posorja (Ecuador) as examples of emerging efficiency leaders. Their progress has been driven by strong political backing, partnerships with international terminal operators, reforms in trade processes, and targeted financing support.
Multi-Year Insights Introduced
For the first time, the CPPI introduced a five-year trend analysis, tracking how ports evolved between 2020 and 2024. The results underline vessel turnaround time as the key measure of efficiency — a factor that directly influences supply chain reliability and competitiveness.
Turloch Mooney, Global Head of Port Intelligence & Analytics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, noted: “The CPPI and its data serve as a diagnostic tool, enabling stakeholders to identify inefficiencies and shape strategies to boost performance. As shipping lines and shippers navigate rising complexity, port efficiency has become a front-line factor in competitiveness.”
Pathways to Efficiency
The report highlights practical steps for improvement, including 24/7 crane operations, optimized crane deployment, and digital integration with customs and logistics partners. These measures, already deployed in some of the better-performing ports, have delivered tangible efficiency gains.
Benchmark for the Industry
With global shipping challenged by geopolitical instability, climate impacts, and economic pressures, the World Bank-S&P Global index provides a vital benchmark for policymakers, port authorities, and private operators. For developing nations, the 2025 edition serves as evidence that investments in modernization and cooperation can yield global competitiveness.
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