Shipping delays are likely to continue well into 2022 as COVID breakouts continue throughout supply chains and consumers continue to buy at a healthy rate, according to according to supply chain visibility data firm, project44.

This reflects pronouncements from shipping lines of robust market conditions in the first quarter of the year or longer. 

"Carriers like Maersk expect the exceptional market conditions in shipping to persist until the first quarter of 2022 or longer," project44 said in its report, quoting an earlier statment from the shipping line that the strong result in the fourth quarter "reflects the continuation of the exceptional market situation within ocean caused by the global disruptions to the supply chains which have led to further increase in container freight rates."

It added that Maersk's expectation of a continuation of 'exceptional market conditions' into the first quarter of 2022 will likely include elevated spot rates.

In a statement, Josh Brazil, VP of Data Insights at project44, echoed this comment noting that spot rates are also seen to remain elevated.

"Spot rates will remain high throughout most of 2022 however it's unlikely port conditions will return to pre-pandemic levels," Brazil said.

"Blank sailings will continue well into 2022 as ports work down backlogs and consumer spending remains strong," he added.

project44 said carriers increased blank sailings and other schedule adjustments in December resulting in more empty shelves and potentially more disappointed consumers.

"No immediate relief"

The global phenomenon of port congestion and ship delays also impacted all major ports in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US — with "no immediate relief" seen.

"The short-term outlook for 2022 is expected to be a continuation of 2021,"  the supply chain visibility data firm noted.

Meanwhile, project44 also cited economists at Goldman Sachs which expect backlogs and elevated shipping costs to persist at least through the middle of 2022.

"A reason for that is that there is no immediate and short term solution for the underlying supply-demand imbalance at US ports," it said.

"Similarly, investment firm Keybanc Capital Market estimates the current backlog of containers could be cleared in three to five months, but exact timing may vary depending on a variety of factors including labor availability domestically and in Asia," project44 added.