The Red Sea crisis ripples through global shipping, causing major disruptions in port operations. The Port of Singapore, the world's second-largest port, faces severe congestion, with ships experiencing up to seven-day delays for berthing, a stark contrast to the usual half-day wait. This congestion, exacerbated by off-schedule arrivals, has led to significant bottlenecks, impacting global trade routes.

According to reports, Singapore currently has 450,000 TEUs of capacity awaiting berthing or departure, surpassing even pandemic levels. The congestion has forced carriers to cancel planned port calls, further compounding the issue for downstream ports. Container volumes in Singapore surged by 8.8% in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, exacerbating the strain on port infrastructure.

Efforts to address the crisis include the reactivation of shuttered berths and the expedited commissioning of new terminals. However, global concerns persist as congestion spreads to ports in Asia and the Western Mediterranean, affecting approximately 7% of global container capacity. As delays continue, maintaining regular schedules becomes increasingly challenging, prompting carriers like Maersk to implement blank voyages to mitigate the impact.