The latest on-time month-on-month gain marks the fifth month out of six that has occurred in 2015. Compared to June 2014 the on-time performance was higher by nearly 15 points, which is a reflection on the operational improvements brought about by the new, enlarged carrier alliances at the start of the year.

Maersk Line was the most reliable carrier in June with an on-time performance of 84.8 percent, broadly the same as it was in May. This time the Danish mega-carrier faced stiffer competition that usual as Evergreen was only 0.1 point behind in second place. Hanjin took third spot with 84.5 percent.

Interestingly the gap between the best- and worst-performing lines narrowed to around 26 points in June, when it had been closer to 40 points in May. The least reliable carriers in June were Wan Hai (60.8 percent) and Zim (59.0 percent).

"The converging on-time scores is perhaps an indication that even carriers that have overlooked the importance of reliability in terms of marketing and customer retention are recognising their previous mistake," said Simon Heaney, senior manager of supply chain research at Drewry.

"Drewry expects carriers to maintain the current upwards trend for reliability as they look to impress shippers in order to keep hold of market share in a potentially weaker peak season."

Source: Drewry