It is very common for two forwarders to quote the same origin and destination but show different transit times. This does not mean one of them is wrong. In most cases, it means they are calculating transit time in different ways or using different services behind the scenes.
What it is:
Transit time is not a single fixed number. It is an estimate, based on how a shipment is routed, which carrier is used, how many stops the vessel makes, and how delays are handled in the calculation. Forwarders often use different assumptions when they quote transit time, even for the same route.
How it works:
There are several reasons why transit times differ.
- First, forwarders may choose different carriers or services. One carrier might offer a direct service with fewer port calls, while another uses a transshipment route with a stop at a hub port. A transshipment route almost always takes longer because the container must be unloaded, wait, and be loaded again.
- Second, forwarders calculate transit time from different starting points. Some count transit time from the vessel’s departure date. Others include port gate-in, terminal waiting time, or customs preparation. This alone can create a difference of several days on paper.
- Third, some forwarders quote published schedules, while others adjust transit time based on real performance. Published schedules assume everything goes perfectly. In reality, vessels are often late, ports are congested, and connections are missed. A forwarder who includes buffer days will show a longer but more realistic transit time.
Finally, sailing frequency matters. A weekly service with a missed cut-off can add seven days. A service with multiple weekly sailings may recover faster. Two quotes may look similar, but one has much higher delay risk.
Examples:
- One forwarder quotes 28 days using a direct service that sails once per week. Another quotes 35 days using a transshipment service that sails twice per week. The first looks faster, but if the container misses the weekly cut-off, the shipment immediately slips by a full week.
- In another case, one forwarder quotes 30 days based on the carrier’s schedule. Another quotes 36 days based on recent port congestion and historical delays. The longer transit time is actually closer to what will happen in real life.
- Sometimes the difference comes from inland legs. One quote includes rail transit after arrival, while another assumes immediate truck pickup. Both are technically correct, but they measure transit differently.
Facts:
Global ocean carrier schedule reliability often remains around 50–60%, meaning many vessels do not arrive exactly as planned. Transshipment routes typically add 5 to 10 days of variability compared to direct services. Missed cut-offs or missed connections are among the most common causes of extended transit times.
Misinterpretations:
Many shippers assume the shortest transit time is the best option. In reality, a shorter quoted transit time may be less reliable. Another common mistake is assuming all forwarders measure transit time the same way. There is no single industry standard for how transit time must be calculated.
Who solves it:
Skypace compares transit times using actual historical performance, not just carrier schedules. The system evaluates delay patterns, transshipment risk, port congestion, and sailing frequency before presenting transit time estimates. This allows shippers to see which option is more likely to arrive on time, not just which one looks faster on paper. The result is better planning, fewer surprises, and fewer downstream costs caused by unrealistic transit expectations.
