E2open says ocean shipping stayed resilient as congestion hit a four-year high

E2open’s latest Ocean Shipping Index says global shipping held up in Q2 2026 even as geopolitical disruption, fuel constraints and congestion intensified. The report found average shipment time stayed at 68 days, while many major trade lanes improved or remained stable.

Why it matters: - Global ocean shipping remained stable in Q2 2026 even as disruption became more frequent, suggesting carriers are absorbing shocks without a major breakdown in cargo flows. - The report points to a market where shippers, carriers and logistics planners still need to watch route changes, congestion and fuel availability closely to avoid delays and cost spikes.

What happened: - E2open published its quarterly Ocean Shipping Index covering Q2 2026. - The report found average end-to-end shipment duration held at 68 days from booking to final port gate clearance. - That timing was unchanged from Q1 2026 and one day longer than a year earlier. - Global port congestion reached a four-year high during the quarter. - Despite that pressure, most trade lanes were stable or improved quarter over quarter.

The details: - Restricted container ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz pushed carriers to adjust networks, expand feeder services and use alternate routings. - Uneven bunker fuel availability across key refueling hubs raised operating costs and changed fueling strategies. - Adverse weather, vessel bunching and higher cargo volumes made congestion worse later in the quarter, especially in parts of Asia. - Carriers managed cargo rollovers and service changes to preserve reliability. - U.S. imports from Asia accelerated as shippers pulled cargo forward ahead of expected tariff changes and higher fuel costs. - The added demand increased pressure on vessel capacity and equipment. - Trans-Pacific lanes improved quarter over quarter, with Asia-North America and North America-Asia each shortening by two days. - Transatlantic lanes were stable to improving, with North America to Europe and Europe to North America each improving by two days. - South America posted the strongest year-over-year gains, led by North America to South America, which improved by 10 days, and South America to North America, which improved by 8 days. - The report draws on e2open’s network of more than 500,000 connected enterprises, billions of transactions and more than 70 million containers annually. - The index uses booking-date visibility to track shipping performance. - E2open said customers can book shipments and connect with carriers on one consolidated platform, reducing time and redundant data entry. - Read the full e2open Ocean Shipping Index for additional data points and insights.

Between the lines: - The quarter looked less like a single disruption event and more like a test of continuous adaptation. - Carriers appear to be relying on network flexibility, alternative routing and tighter operational management to keep goods moving even as trade conditions shift. - For shippers, the data suggests resilience does not mean low friction; it means delays and congestion are still present, but manageable with better visibility and faster response.

What's next: - E2open said the quarterly benchmark is meant to help companies monitor market trends and optimize ocean shipping operations. - The company also said the report is one of several benchmark reports designed to help firms navigate complex and rapidly changing supply chains. - Continued monitoring of congestion, tariffs, fuel availability and regional routing changes will likely remain central for shippers planning future ocean freight moves.

The bottom line: - Global shipping held together in Q2 2026, but only because carriers kept changing routes, services and fuel plans as disruption spread.