UK Port Congestion & Container Delay Tracker
Carrgo compares estimated congestion, vessel queues, delay ranges, weather risk and inland logistics pressure across ten major UK ports to help importers plan resilient container movements.
Updated: 7 June 2026, 08:00 BST. This is estimated operational intelligence for planning guidance, not a guaranteed port authority notice.
Carrgo Port Congestion Index
The Carrgo index scores estimated UK port pressure from 0 to 100: 0-25 Low, 26-50 Moderate, 51-75 Busy and 76-100 Severe.
UK port status comparison
| Port | Index | Status | Estimated delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe | 68 | Busy | 1-3 days |
| Southampton | 42 | Moderate | 0-2 days |
| London Gateway | 31 | Moderate | 0-1 day |
| Liverpool | 47 | Moderate | 1-2 days |
| Tilbury | 38 | Moderate | 0-2 days |
| Immingham | 29 | Moderate | 0-1 day |
| Teesport | 23 | Low | 0-1 day |
| Hull | 27 | Moderate | 0-1 day |
| Bristol | 19 | Low | 0-1 day |
| Dover | 55 | Busy | 1-2 days |
Current planning summary
London Gateway currently offers the strongest all-round container option for many South East importers. Felixstowe has the highest estimated container pressure in this snapshot, while Bristol and Teesport have lower overall scores for suitable services and cargo.
Route impact
- China to UK shipping: compare Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway before booking.
- India to UK freight: protect customs and haulage slots before arrival.
- USA to UK freight: Liverpool can reduce inland mileage for northern cargo.
- Turkey to UK freight: check short-sea schedules and document readiness.
Reduce container delay risk
Confirm customs data before arrival, resolve document gaps early, arrange haulage in advance, monitor free-time deadlines and make sure the receiving warehouse can accept the container when it is released.
UK port congestion FAQs
What is the Carrgo Port Congestion Index?
The Carrgo Port Congestion Index is an estimated operational planning score from 0 to 100 using public signals, weather conditions, vessel movement indicators and freight market observations.
How much delay can UK port congestion add?
Moderate disruption often adds less than two days, while busy conditions can add one to three days or more when berth, customs, haulage and warehouse constraints overlap.
How can importers reduce container release delays?
Confirm customs data before arrival, resolve document gaps early, arrange haulage in advance, monitor free-time deadlines and prepare the receiving warehouse.
Which UK container port has the lowest congestion right now?
In the current Carrgo estimate, Bristol has the lowest overall score, while London Gateway is the strongest all-round container option for many South East importers.
Can an importer change the UK arrival port?
Sometimes. Port choice depends on the carrier rotation, bill of lading, cargo requirements, contract terms and inland delivery plan.
How often is the Carrgo port congestion tracker updated?
The tracker is designed for lightweight manual updates whenever operating conditions materially change, and every snapshot displays a clear timestamp.