World Bank: Nearly Half of Port Time Is Not Spent Handling Cargo

The World Bank published the guide 'Container Terminal Performance Improvement Guide: Improving Spatial and Operating Efficiency at Container Terminals,' which concludes that nearly half of the time container ships remain in port is not spent on cargo handling. The institution argues that, compared to costly infrastructure investments, improving operational management has greater potential to free up capacity at terminals.

According to 2025 port call data from S&P Global Market Intelligence cited in the study, loading and unloading operations account for just 53.5% of total port dwell time, while the remaining 46.5% corresponds to arrival processes, waiting time, idle time at berth, and departure. On average, vessels wait 12.3 hours to berth and arrival processes take a total of 16.4 hours; from berthing to the first container move takes 2.1 hours, and from the last container move to unberthing, another 2.3 hours.

The report warns that adding cranes or increasing yard storage density does not by itself guarantee higher productivity. Excessive container stacking can generate additional moves and hinder access to cargo, while adding cranes does not reduce service times if the yard lacks the capacity to receive or supply containers. For this reason, the World Bank recommends first identifying the constraints limiting performance before making new investments, and updating berth planning daily with a 14-day horizon.

Citing data from Drewry, the report notes that average capacity utilization at container terminals worldwide was 72.2% in 2025 and is expected to rise to 73.1% by 2030, with congestion risk increasing above 70% and worsening above 80%, although the threshold varies by terminal. Recommended measures include more dynamic berth scheduling, closer coordination with shipping lines, preventive maintenance, flexible staffing, and shared pools of handling equipment, which the report states can generate productivity gains of between 10% and 20%.

The World Bank does not consider automation a universal solution, but rather a set of operational solutions that should target already identified problems, rather than projects that first upgrade technology and then look for where to apply it. The document also emphasizes that port performance depends on external factors such as landside connectivity, customs procedures, and information provided by shipping lines, and proposes truck appointment systems, extended service hours, and advance information sharing among operators, carriers, and authorities.

The report has particular implications for Latin American ports, where infrastructure is often limited and cargo flows are growing. It suggests that before making major infrastructure investments, it is advisable to optimize the use of existing space and equipment, and that an integrated approach involving governments, port operators, carriers, and users can help overcome the logistical challenges affecting the region's foreign trade.