World Bank guide says better planning can cut port delays without heavy infrastructure expansion

The report, Container Terminal Performance Improvement Guide: Improving Spatial and Operating Efficiency at Container Terminals, comes from the World Bank Group's Global Transport and Logistics Department, with analytical contributions from S&P Global Market Intelligence. It says existing facilities can often handle more cargo when operations are properly coordinated.

What the report says

The report challenges the traditional belief that increasing port capacity requires new berths, expanded storage yards or more cranes. Adding equipment without fixing coordination weaknesses may simply transfer congestion from one part of the terminal to another, it says. Poor communication between ships, cranes, storage yards, trucks and government agencies can create bottlenecks that undermine productivity.

Where the time goes

Cargo operations accounted for about 53.5% of total port time, according to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index dataset cited in the report. Average arrival time was 16.4 hours, including 12.3 hours of waiting and 4.1 hours approaching berths. Ships also averaged 2.1 hours between berthing and starting cargo operations. They averaged another 2.3 hours between finishing cargo handling and departure. The report identifies berth planning as particularly important. About 25% of container vessels may arrive at least a day earlier or later than schedules prepared two weeks before arrival. Even changes of four to six hours can disrupt berth allocations, crane deployment, workforce availability and cargo movement.

Capacity pressure

Global container terminal capacity utilisation was about 72.2% in 2025, according to industry estimates cited in the report. Those estimates project it will reach 73.1% by 2030.

Congestion risks generally increase when utilisation exceeds 70%, becoming more serious beyond 80%, although conditions differ between terminals, the report says. Operating close to maximum capacity leaves little flexibility to respond to unexpected vessel arrivals, equipment failures or sudden increases in cargo volumes. The report says effective terminal capacity depends on the weakest part of the operating system. A port may have sufficient cranes and berths but still experience delays because of overcrowded storage yards, limited truck access or inadequate equipment availability.

What terminals can do

The report says better container placement, improved yard planning and coordinated equipment deployment can help. Equipment pooling may improve productivity by about 10% to 20%, depending on operating conditions. It also highlights automated gates, real-time container tracking, advanced scheduling systems and AI-assisted planning as tools that can reduce unnecessary movements and improve decisions.

Technology alone cannot solve structural weaknesses, the report says. Digital investments need reliable information systems, trained employees, effective maintenance and strong operational management. The report also says workforce development is important, including training crane operators, equipment drivers, maintenance technicians and terminal supervisors.