The time required to move export containers through ports varies dramatically across the world, highlighting major differences in trade infrastructure, customs efficiency, and supply chain performance.
This dataset from the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Indicators (LPI) 2.0 measures the average time spent at a port of departure between the arrival of a full export container and its loading onto a vessel.
Efficient ports reduce shipping costs, improve trade competitiveness, and strengthen supply chains. Slower ports can create major bottlenecks that delay exports, increase logistics expenses, and weaken economic productivity.
Average Export Container Dwell Time at Ports (2024)
| Rank | Country | Export Dwell Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste (TLS) | 0.6 Days |
| 2 | 🇫🇷 French Polynesia (PYF) | 1.1 Days |
| 3 | 🇾🇪 Yemen (YEM) | 1.5 Days |
| 4 | 🇪🇪 Estonia (EST) | 1.7 Days |
| 5 | 🇸🇩 Sudan (SDN) | 1.7 Days |
| 6 | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh (BGD) | 1.8 Days |
| 7 | 🇸🇬 Singapore (SGP) | 1.8 Days |
| 8 | 🇩🇿 Algeria (DZA) | 2.0 Days |
| 9 | 🇧🇳 Brunei (BRN) | 2.0 Days |
| 10 | 🇨🇾 Cyprus (CYP) | 2.0 Days |
| 11 | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica (CRI) | 2.1 Days |
| 12 | 🇶🇦 Qatar (QAT) | 2.4 Days |
| 13 | 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda (ATG) | 2.5 Days |
| 14 | 🇲🇾 Malaysia (MYS) | 3.2 Days |
| 15 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye (TUR) | 3.2 Days |
| 16 | 🇵🇱 Poland (POL) | 3.3 Days |
| 17 | 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone (SLE) | 3.5 Days |
| 18 | 🇮🇳 India (IND) | 3.7 Days |
| 19 | 🇻🇪 Venezuela (VEN) | 3.7 Days |
| 20 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador (ECU) | 3.8 Days |
The Fastest Export Ports Are Not Always in Rich Countries
One of the most surprising patterns in the data is that some emerging economies outperform advanced economies in export logistics efficiency.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh (BGD), 🇮🇳 India (IND), and 🇲🇾 Malaysia (MYS) all record relatively fast export dwell times despite handling massive trade volumes and operating within developing economy frameworks.
Meanwhile, some advanced economies still experience moderate delays due to congestion, labor shortages, customs complexity, or infrastructure bottlenecks.
Singapore remains one of the world’s most efficient logistics hubs, averaging just 1.8 days for export container handling.
Countries With the Longest Export Delays
Several economies experience extremely long export dwell times, often caused by weak infrastructure, customs inefficiencies, political instability, or limited shipping connectivity.
| Country | Export Dwell Time |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇳 Guinea (GIN) | 45.4 Days |
| 🇨🇩 DR Congo (COD) | 30.5 Days |
| 🇺🇸 Virgin Islands (VIR) | 25.2 Days |
| 🇬🇲 Gambia (GMB) | 20.9 Days |
| 🇸🇾 Syria (SYR) | 20.6 Days |
| 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands (SLB) | 20.1 Days |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt (EGY) | 18.7 Days |
| 🇱🇷 Liberia (LBR) | 17.4 Days |
| 🇧🇯 Benin (BEN) | 17.5 Days |
In many of these countries, exporters face challenges such as:
- Port congestion
- Slow customs processing
- Limited shipping schedules
- Weak transport infrastructure
- Political instability
- High logistics costs
These delays can significantly reduce export competitiveness and discourage foreign investment.
India and Asia Continue Improving Logistics Performance
Several Asian economies continue to strengthen supply chain efficiency through large investments in ports, railways, highways, and customs digitization.
🇮🇳 India (IND) has improved logistics infrastructure through programs focused on port modernization, freight corridors, and digital customs systems.
Other major Asian exporters also maintain competitive logistics performance:
| Country | Export Dwell Time |
|---|---|
| 🇸🇬 Singapore (SGP) | 1.8 Days |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh (BGD) | 1.8 Days |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia (MYS) | 3.2 Days |
| 🇮🇳 India (IND) | 3.7 Days |
| 🇨🇳 China (CHN) | 4.7 Days |
| 🇯🇵 Japan (JPN) | 5.1 Days |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea (KOR) | 4.7 Days |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam (VNM) | 8.9 Days |
As global supply chains diversify beyond China, logistics efficiency is becoming increasingly important for attracting manufacturing investment.
Logistics Efficiency Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage
Modern global trade increasingly depends on speed, reliability, and supply chain resilience.
Countries with efficient ports and fast export processing often benefit from:
- Lower shipping costs
- Faster delivery times
- Stronger manufacturing competitiveness
- Increased foreign investment
- More resilient supply chains
Meanwhile, economies with weak logistics infrastructure risk falling behind in global trade.
As international trade becomes more interconnected and time-sensitive, port efficiency may become one of the most important competitive advantages in the global economy.
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