---
title: "Ocean Trends Reveal When We May See Schedule Relief"
description: "Carrier schedule reliability is on the rebound for the rest of the year. By tracking certain factors, you can get a clearer picture of what’s ahead. Read the blog post for webinar takeaways from…"
language: en
canonical: https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/ocean-trends-reveal-when-we-may-see-schedule-relief/
lifecycle: live
---

# Ocean Trends Reveal When We May See Schedule Relief

The writing [was on the wall](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/live-capacity-crisis-overwhelms-ocean-and-ground-as-demand-roars/) at the end of April: Ocean capacity would be scarce in May—and it has been. 

The current market is a vicious cycle of supply and demand imbalances, equipment and labor shortages, port congestion, and vessel delays. After a year-plus of [mixed demand signals](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/beating-the-bullwhip-effect-can-supply-chain-imbalances-be-fixed/), it can seem like there’s just not enough of anything: containers, vessel berths, truck drivers; the list goes on. 

Without agile strategy, some companies could be waiting a long time for their cargo.

There's good news, too. Don't call it a comeback . . . but it looks like schedule reliability is on the rebound for the rest of the year. 

By tracking certain factors, you can get a clearer picture of what’s ahead:

- **Transit Times:** From departure to discharge, all shipment legs are experiencing extended transit times. Knowing the details of each leg helps you [strategize around delays](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/how-to-dodge-shipping-delays-while-ocean-and-inland-struggle-with-speed/).

- **Port Congestion:** Congestion tends to come in waves, even when it's consistently high. Take Los Angeles, for example: The number of vessels waiting to berth is flatlining, but nearby Oakland is getting busier. Track where congestion slows cargo to plan routes.

- **Volatility:** Volatility complicates planning, but it can be measured. For instance, volatility on Far East Westbound routes is extreme right now. This info can help you choose your modal mix based on your company’s tolerance for the unknown.

After putting this data together, Flexport expects that schedule reliability will return to ocean shipping incrementally throughout the rest of 2021. 

Many of the factors impacting reliability are too volatile or unwieldy to change overnight, but data-driven outlooks can help predict how the market may evolve.

Watch [Logistics Rewired: Let's Talk Ocean](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqNBB2a9QPw) to learn more about current capacity trends and find solutions your company can use now.

**Read more capacity crisis analysis and solutions:**

[Live: Capacity Crisis Overwhelms Ocean and Ground as Demand Roars](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/live-capacity-crisis-overwhelms-ocean-and-ground-as-demand-roars/)

[On the Hunt for Cargo Space, Smarter Consolidation Could Ease the Way](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/on-the-hunt-for-cargo-space-smarter-consolidation-could-ease-the-way/)

[Capacity Opportunities Remain, but Timing and Cost Can Be Tough](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/capacity-opportunities-remain-but-timing-and-cost-can-be-tough/)

[How to Dodge Shipping Delays While Ocean and Inland Struggle with Speed](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/how-to-dodge-shipping-delays-while-ocean-and-inland-struggle-with-speed/)

[Ocean Trends Reveal When We May See Schedule Relief](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/ocean-trends-reveal-when-we-may-see-schedule-relief/)

[Schedule Disruptions Are Slashing June Ocean Capacity](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/schedule-disruptions-are-slashing-june-ocean-capacity/)

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*This is a markdown version of [https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/ocean-trends-reveal-when-we-may-see-schedule-relief/](https://www.flex.thisisbrew.com/blog/ocean-trends-reveal-when-we-may-see-schedule-relief/) for AI/LLM consumption.*