2024 Global Shipping Challenges

March 2024

War and drought have created shipping bottlenecks around the world, adding delays and increasing costs of maintaining supply chains. As container volume increases and labor concerns persist, healthcare distributors remain vigilant for impacts on the medical supply chain.


Panama Canal

33% Reduction In Daily Transits
Map of Panama Canal marked with key points
WECI Pacific Spot Rate

As of February 2024

Rates from Feb. 2023 - Jan. 2024

Red Sea

Sailing Around Africa Adds 20–30 Days
Map of African continent and shipping detour
Change in tonnage transiting

January 2024 vs. January 2023

Suez Canal, Panama Canal, Cape of Good Hope

Developing

West Coast Trends

Volume Spikes: In January 2024, West Coast ports saw a 17.7% year-over-year increase in container volume. The Port of Long Beach experienced a 23.5% surge.

East Coast Trends

Labor Uncertainty: Contracts between 36 East Coast ports and 70,000 union dockworkers expire in September 2024.

Sources

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